Cahill sweating on Dream ride in Cleveland Bay

By Garry Dell

Astute Atherton Tablelands trainer Ricky Ludwig has "big race" Brisbane jockey Michael Cahill on a sweating standby for the $100,000 Cleveland Bay Handicap at Cluden Park on Saturday.

Ludwig is awaiting Wednesday night's barrier draw for North Queensland's premier sprint before confirming a jockey for leading sprinter Yes Dream. 

"Michael is prepared to get down to Dream's weight of 55.5 kilograms if we draw a decent alley," Ludwig said.

"The horse is back to near his top and we only need to draw closer than nine for him to be a big chance.

"He's won two of his five starts for me since I bought him from Michael Lee and he has ran well with big weights.

"He failed over 1400 metres at Cairns between those runs but I don't think he's a 1400 metre horse.

"He ran fourth in the Cleveland Bay last year and loves Townsville where he's won seven races, including the three-year-old feature over 1300 metres two years ago against the likes of Palencia and Fire King.

"He's also a Brisbane winner and hasn't been over raced."

The Cleveland Bay attracted 31 nominations with the Cairns-trained Smart Image the equal top weight with 60.5 kgs.

The sprint "consolation" $50,000 Cape Cleveland Benchmark 75 Handicap over 1200 metres has received 34 nominations.

The $150,000 Townsville Cup over 2000 metres will be headlined by Namazu who has been allotted 62 kgs in pursuit of his third straight win in the feature race.