Flying Light on road to Townsville

Former Victorian galloper Flying Light will take another step towards fulfilling his veteran owner’s long held dream when he runs at Doomben.

Flying Light was originally trained by the David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig partnership in Victoria where he won four races and more than $300,000.

He was bought earlier this year by Townsville racing identity Tom Sheahan who has had many good horses including the multiple stakes-winning sprinter Burdekin Blues.

Flying Light has had two runs for Sheahan’s long-time trainer Barry Baldwin for a third at the Gold Coast and a fifth at Doomben.

Sheahan is keen for Flying Light to run in the Townsville Cup on July 29.

“Even when Burdekin Blues was winning Group races in Sydney and Melbourne he always said to me while that was very good, but the race he really wanted was the Townsville Cup,” Baldwin said.

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“Like us all, Tom isn’t getting any younger and would love to win it this year.”

Baldwin entered Flying Light for the Open Handicap (1640m) and the Class Six (1350m) on Saturday but elected to go with the restricted race.

“I know he has barrier ten and 61.5kg but the restricted race suits his program better,” Baldwin said.

“I spoke to the Hayes camp before he came north and they said one thing to be mindful of was Flying Light doesn’t handle wet tracks. So he needs to run and the track will hopefully be OK on Saturday.”

Unfortunately for Flying Light, rain has hit Brisbane late in the week but fine weather is expected for race day.

Baldwin has elected not to claim on Flying Light and has gone with senior jockey Michael Cahill.

“He isn’t really an apprentice’s horse and Michael has been in good form,” Baldwin said.