Belford: Isurava Can Lead And Win Townsville Cup

STAND-IN trainer Brad Belford believes Isurava is the big improver for Friday night's $75,000-to-the-winner Group 2 Townville Cup Final (498m).

Belford has Isurava for Ipswich trainer Brent Kline and he was greatly impressed with the dog's second to Hara's Skye in the heats in 28.59 last Friday.

“He only arrived here on the Tuesday, went in sight unseen to the heat and only got run down on the line by what is a fabulous race bitch,” said Brad of Isurava's performance.

Belford also has Cup second reserve Winlock All Over.

“Isurava is a wonderful dog,” said Brad.

“He settled in here perfectly and I rate him a great chance of leading and stealing the race.

“I don't think the six box will worry him at all.

“And, he will beat out the seven (Hara's Skye) and the eight (Dixie Gambles).”

Belford rates fastest heat winner Young Rob, from the Rob Lound kennel, the hardest to beat.

“It went 28.43 and that's a hot run,” he said.

“And the box suits him as well.”

Young Rob, Hara's Skye and Hara's Herbie all made the Cup final in 2022.

The winner of 18 races, Young Rob had the two box when winning his heat last Friday night.

Belford, a member of the Townsville Club committee, said next year's Cup final would be worth $100,000-to-the-winner.

G2 Townsville Cup (498m): 1 More Peaches, 2 Young Rob, 3 Hara's Herbie, 4 Balts Orson, 5 Plum Tuckered, 6 Isurava, 7 Hara's Skye, 8 Dixie Gambles. Res: 9 Bag The Cash, 10 Winlock All Over.

Maiden 1000 (380m): 1 Mercurial Dancer, 2 Haytown's Trio, 3 Columbian Diva, Moonlit Larc, 5 Uncle Dan, 6 Tropical Balt, 7 Target Girl, 8 Federal Gold.

Stayers Challenge (643m): 1 Stressful Hope, 2 Run Over Freddy, 3 Tap Out Mickey, 4 Hara's River, 5 Saint Remi, 6 Phoenix Luck, 7 Golden Rule, 8 Jazz Party.