Townsville trainer Terry McGovern wants another crack at the Country Stampede Final in Brisbane and is pinning his hopes on lightly raced six-year-old Heiswoody.

Cairns trainer Mark Dale is hoping to grab some more headlines when he saddles Ali’s Jab in the Open Handicap on the first day of the gala Cairns Amateurs on Friday.

Morgan Butler has carved out a near three decade-long career in the saddle across Australia but he believes the opening event from Gympie on Saturday will be his proudest moment.

Trainer Mark Dale is hoping Modernism will travel the Cairns Cup road next month if the mare breaks through for her maiden Open Company win at Cannon Park on Tuesday.