McIntosh hopes special rug brings luck in Warragul feature

A win in Monday’s rescheduled Downtowner Warragul Pacing Cup with Wattlebank Flyer (Panpacificflight) would be extra special for harness racing trainer Graeme McIntosh.

The first running of the 2024 country feature in April was called off mid-race after Im Eugene fell when travelling in the front half of the field at the 1200-metre mark.

McIntosh has a special connection with Warragul dating back to 1999.

“The cup means a fair bit to me because my mate’s (Don Pemberton) horse won the Warragul Jubilee Cup, a horse called Rare Air,” McIntosh said. “He gave me the rug and that rug was presented to him by Lionel Rose.”

Lionel Rose was a professional boxer, who became the first Indigenous Australian to win a world title and later became the first Indigenous person to be named Australian of the Year.

“I will have that rug on him on Monday, and that rug means a lot to me and the Aboriginal community,” the 70-year-old said.

“The rug is still in good condition and if he was to win you would hear me from Brisbane. I would ring my mate (Pemberton) who is up in Darwin and say ‘we have got two cups!’.”

Wattlebank Flyer has drawn one for the $17,500 event with son of a gun, Sean O’Sullivan, set to steer the 12-year-old.

“He comes out alright, but the only problem I have being stuck on the fence is that the sprint lane at Warragul is too short,” McIntosh said.

“Hopefully Sean is in position and can get him off the fence. It really depends on the start.

“Sean has been really good and they have built a strong combination.”

Winner of four consecutive races, including the Tontine, the Margaret Lee-prepared Keayang Tokyo will start from barrier 11.

The 2627m event is set to go at 3.48pm.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria