Numbers to do the talking for Tanya Parry at Mount Isa

With a spot in the Country Stampede and Country Cups Challenge Finals to go on the line at Mount Isa on Saturday afternoon, Julia Creek trainer Tanya Parry holds all the cards when it comes to the numbers.

The leading country trainer in Queensland has the majority of the field in both Open Handicaps.

In the Stampede qualifier, Tanya Parry has four from her barn accepted, while she has three for the Cups Challenge, which will double as Mount Isa's Spring Cup for 2022.

Parry – who finished second in the country trainers premiership last campaign with 54 victories – is set for a busy weekend, as she usually is when she travels her team of gallopers around the Sunshine State.

The experienced trainer has 25 horses accepted to face the starter at Mount Isa on Saturday across the five event non-TAB card.

"I have got a lot in," Parry said with a laugh.

While all 25 are doubtful to go around, it is likely to be nearly as many as 20 who will start on Saturday.

The Country Cups Challenge Final will be run this year at Doomben in December along with the Country Stampede Final.

For the Spring Cup, Parry has identified Louie The Legend has her leading hope of three in the six horse field.

Since the seven-year-old gelding transferred to Julia Creek, he is yet to finish outside the top two in five starts, which has included two victories.

Four of those five efforts have been at Mount Isa, with Brisbane-based hoop Gregory Walters booked to do the riding.

Louie The Legend has proved to be a versatile galloper in his short time with Parry, running competitively from 1000 metres up to 1450 metres.

The Spring Cup will be contested over 1450 metres.

"Louie has been in good form," Parry said.

"He is as honest as the day is long.

"He is a lovely beautiful big horse; he is a lovely old gentleman.

"If it was 1200 metres this race then I would feel a lot better about his chances but he will get the 1450 metres."

Mount Isa Race Club president Jay Morris believes Steven Royes' top-weight – Loud Enough – will be hard to hold out in the race that provides direct entry into the CCC Final later this year.

"It is a good race but it is at the mercy of Loud Enough, he is a local champion over this distance," Morris said.

"He has been the benchmark of the seven furlong horses' here for quite some time."

While there is only six in the Spring Cup field, Parry thinks there is a number of winning chances, including Mopar, who will also come from Julia Creek.

The Kerry Krogh-trained son of Epaulette is stepping up from a Benchmark level race last week at Winton to Open company but Parry thinks he will be rock hard fit and competitive.

As Morris mentioned, Parry also says Loud Enough – who will have to lug 67kgs – will still be hard to topple, despite the heavy weight.

The Lord Derby Stakes – the last event on the card – is another feature from the North West on Saturday and Parry says while it is a strong race, she thinks A Million Dreams from her stable will be a leading chance.

"I do like A Million Dreams but he is a little underdone," Parry said.

"In the maiden, Iron One ran a good race last week first-up from a spell, so I think he will run well again."

The first race on Saturday's program will recognise the life of late Mount Isa trainer George Tipping, who passed away earlier this month after decades of involvement in the racing industry.

Six horses will contest the Country Cups Challenge qualifier at Mount Isa while the Longreach qualifier – also set to be run on Saturday - will see nine starters line up.

The Janel Ryan-trained Fast Train claimed the first qualifier at Atherton last Saturday while the second qualifying race will be run at Ewan in North Queensland on Friday.


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