McCONVILLE’S “SOUTH” HEADS NORTH

QUEENSLAND’S “warmer” weather won out!

Kembla Grange trainer Ross McConville was looking for a suitable interstate assignment for his smart sprinter South Of India, and looked at programs for both Flemington and the Sunshine Coast at the weekend.

He opted for the latter and as a result will have his first starter north of the border when South Of India lines up in the Open Plate (1000m) at Saturday’s Caloundra Cup meeting, and Ash Morgan has been booked.

“There was nothing on in Sydney for him, and I thought Melbourne would be too cold,” McConville said today.

“So he is off to Queensland tomorrow.

“South Of India is at his best around 1000m to 1100m.

“He can come back after Saturday for the July Sprint (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on July 19.”

McConville bred South Of India, and the now four-year-old Churchill gelding has won six of his 12 starts.

At one stage last year he reeled off five straight wins, beginning with a 2&3YO Maiden Plate (900m) at Newcastle in January and culminating with a city breakthrough at his first attempt in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (1000m) at Royal Randwick in July.

McConville was pleased with South Of India’s first-up fourth to In Flight (beaten only one and a half lengths) in the Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m) at Randwick on June 7 when he made the running.

He has since trialled the gelding in an Open 1050m heat when second to Bartolf at Randwick last Friday.

“Ash rode him in the trial, and I mentioned that I was looking at taking him to Queensland for this race on Saturday,” McConville said.

McConville also has South Of India’s year younger half-brother Donwon (by Magna Grecia), and has accepted with him in the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Alysha Collett, who rode South Of India at his resumption, has been booked for the three-year-old.

McConville however today was undecided whether to start Donwon or wait for another race at his home track’s second last meeting of the season on July 17.

Donwon is yet to match his older brother’s resume, but has won two of his 11 starts and has been placed on four occasions.

After winning his Maiden over 1000m at Gosford on May 29 and then finishing fourth there in a Class 1 Handicap (1100m) on June 12, Donwon dropped back to country grade and picked up a Benchmark 74 Handicap (1100m) at Moruya last Friday.

Whilst Rosehill today was rated a ‘Heavy 10’, that isn’t concerning McConville.

“The track was pretty heavy when he won at Gosford, and he ploughed through it,” he said.

Story John Curtis, July 2, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos