Bush Cups king tests his luck on the coast :: Racing Queensland

By Jordan Gerrans

Steven Royes was the Cups king in the North West of Queensland before relocating to Townsville and the trainer is keen to land a provincial blow at Cluden Park on Saturday afternoon.

Royes’ record on his home deck at Mount Isa come Cup time every year was unrivalled when it comes to recent history.

He landed his eighth Mount Isa Cup with Dollson in 2024.

The dirt of Buchanan Park on a non-TAB day is a different ballgame altogether when you compare it to the $150,000 Townsville Cup this Saturday afternoon, but the outback horseman thinks he has a live chance in the staying feature.

Royes’ Cup hopeful Acclimatise has run in a number of traditional Townsville Cup lead-up races and while he has not won any of them, he has been as honest as they come.

Dating back to the Mackay Amateur Cup in late May, Acclimatise has run in the money on four straight occasions, which includes the Townsville Winter Cup and last Saturday’s Open Handicap over a mile.

Acclimatise’s record might not be overly eye-catching, but the 59-year-old Royes believes the chestnut gelding will be there in the finish on Saturday when it matters most.