Mount Isa Race Club tuned up for its biggest meet of the year on Saturday.
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The day’s racing was a dress rehearsal for the Mount Isa Cup on June 3 and it proved to be a good day for favourites who won five out of six and for jockey Aaron Spradau who had a treble.
A decent crowd was on hand in glorious weather for the six race card and punters were happy when the $1.90 favourite won Race 1 the Steejo Press QTIS Benchmark 60 Handicap over 1450m.
Aaron Spradau was aboard the Jay Morris-trained Northern Storm which won by three lengths from Good Mood with Dreamward Bound a further 11 lengths back in third.
In Race 2 the Leonie Winks Photography Maiden Plate over 1000m, another favourite triumphed.
This time Dan Ballard brought home the bacon aboard the Dawn Sanderson-trained Tidal Rip winning by almost six lengths from Messines Rose with Guacamole 13 lengths back in third.
Race 3 was the Colonial Food Store Class 3 Plate over 1000m and again the favourite burned the bookies to take the win.
Aaron Spradau was the jockey for his second win of the day this time riding Bob Burow’s Aperture.
The margin was a bit closer this time with Aperture finishing one and half lengths clear of by Emteeare with Fab Four finishing third, a further two and a half lengths behind.
Race 4 the Mount Isa Agricultural Show Society Cup Preview Open Handicap was run over the Mount Isa Cup distance over 1700m which meant people in the grandstand had the chance to see the runners twice with the starting stalls in the straight.
Dan Ballard joined Aaron Spradau in the double winners as he expertly steered the Steven Royes-trained Chestnut Road for the fourth favourite ($1.60) victory of the day.
He finished five lengths clear of Cestos, with Frisco Journey 12 lengths back in third.
Favourites made it five from five when Craigslea Cruz ($2.30) gave another victory for the Aaron Spradau - Steven Royes combination in the Thanks to Lenore Saunders and Sharon Crossland Open Handicap over 1100m.
Five O’Clock was second half a length behind with Travel in Style third 4.5 lengths back.
The $7 shot Diurnal Tiger finally gave backers of outsiders something to shout about winning the final race of the day the Welcome Baby Burgo Ratings Band 0 – 50 Handicap over 1200m.
Terrence Hill was Diurnal Tiger's jockey for the Julia Creek-based trainer Tanya Perry and squeezed home by 0.4 lengths from Mosport, The Girl in Paris half a length behind in third place.
