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Emerging Rockhampton trainer Chris Attard is hopeful his rise through the training ranks in central Queensland can gather further momentum before relocating to Townsville in the state’s north.
Attard, 33, is a son of former Rockhampton trainer Mick Attard who moved with wife Sharon to Hawkesbury in NSW in September last year for family reasons to be closer to their grandchildren.
Chris Attard is in the process of relocating from Rockhampton to Townsville in the next six months, where he is building 24 stables on-course.
Attard has three starters at Rockhampton on Tuesday with Auxin lining up in the Class 4 Handicap over 1050 metres and Karbors in the Class 1 Handicap over 1200 metres.
Bering Sea steps out in the 1400-metre Class 6 Plate, with all three to be ridden by Brisbane jockey Michael Hellyer.
Attard was a former car salesman before taking over his father's team last year.
Last season, he trained only nine winners but so far this season he's been in the winners' stall 15 times.
His most recent winner was Auxin who won at his last start in Townsville on May 13.
"I took over Dad's stable and started off with three horses," Attard said.
"I've now got 25 horses in work and things are on the way up."
Attard is confident Auxin can make it back-to-back wins and is also looking for strong performances from Karbors and Bering Sea at Callaghan Park.
"Auxin is a good horse who should nearly win," Attard said.
"He was formerly owned by Godolphin and he's got a lot of ability.
"I bought Karbors off Stu Kendrick at Caloundra and he's having his first start for me.
"He's in the right race and I'm expecting him to run well."
Karbors was left in Rockhampton by Kendrick after winning his maiden at Callaghan Park on April 10.
Attard's other starter Bering Sea is also making his stable debut after being bought for $31,000 from his former trainer David Vandyke.
A son of Pierro, Bering Sea has won five of his 27 starts and is coming off a last start ninth in a benchmark race at Doomben last month.
"He's drawn awkwardly but he's down in class and I'm expecting him to be very competitive," Attard said.
"He's being set for the major cup races up here, the Rockhampton, Mackay and Townsville Cups."
