IMA MONARCHIST

BRAD Belford's dad Bob phoned his son to listen to a call of the Ayr Cup.

Brad had two runners, the odds-on favourite Ima Monarchist and Whatta

Moment. He was also looking after his mother's dog Model Jase so it was

understandable his dad wanted to hear the broadcast.

``Dad listened on the phone but I don't know if he heard anything, I was

riding Ima Monarchist that hard he couldn't have,'' said Brad.

Ima Monarchist, aided by an ideal rails draw, downed Brisbane-trained bitch

Cheli's Princess by three-quarters of a length with in a quick 28.44 for the

487m.

Keen Invader just held out Model Jase for third with the latter storming all

over the leaders and being well clear 20 metres past the line.

For Ima Monarchist (Deep North-Ultra Queen) it was his second northern cups

victory following his all-the-way win in the Mackay Cup recently.

``Who would have thought he would have won these couple of cups when he

first came up here,'' said Brad. ``We knew he had plenty of ability, but

cups are hard to win at any time.

``It takes good dog to win these races now and this bloke is a really good

dog.''

Belford knew he was in for a tough final but he was confident Ima Monarchist

would utilise his rails draw.

``He's been beaten only once since coming up here to my kennel,'' he said.

``But Cheli's Princess is a pretty smart free for aller around Ipswich and

Tommy Noble (her trainer) was confident she could run my bloke down.

``The bitch had won by seven and a half lengths at Townsville between the

heat and final and it was a pretty good win.''

Plans for Ima Monarchist (to time of writing) were up in the air.

``I will trial him over the 554m at Cairns with a view to running him in the

cup there, but at this stage that could be doubtful because he is a speed

dog and the distance might test him,'' said Brad.

``The Townsville Cup heats (over 498m) are run on July 19 and that is more

to his liking. I don't want to burn him out over 554m.''

Belford has added to his small team since the success of Ima Monarchist.

``I just keep getting more dogs,'' he said. ``Ningaloo Lady is here now as

is Fine Attempt. It's not hard working on the dogs when they keep winning

like Ima Monarchist.''

Brad said his father was excited by his cup victory.

``He keeps sending me dogs, so I suppose he was impressed,'' said Brad.

Belford is excited about Ima Monarchist's future.

``He's only three and could go on for another couple of years racing up

here,'' he said.

Go on winning cups ...