Caloundra’s Louis Peoples has branched out training on his own and will saddle his first starter at Gympie on Saturday when Centaur chases a spot in next month’s Country Cups Challenge Final in Brisbane.
Centaur has two chances to qualify for the final, the first in the Country Cups Challenge Qualifier at Gympie and in a qualifier at Kumbia on November 5.
Peoples is confident Centaur won't need the insurance of the Kumbia qualifier following the eight-year-old's last start second at Gayndah on October 12.
"He had a long break before the Gayndah run and he needed the hit out," Peoples said.
"He's fit and well and has been working well, so I'm hoping he can qualify again.
"This is his fifth country run at Gympie and if he can knock off this race, we won't need to look at going to Kumbia and it'll give us a few options before the final in town."
Peoples is also hoping it will be third time lucky for Centaur if the gelding qualifies for the Country Cups Challenge Final at Doomben on November 30.
"He's run in the past two finals when Mum trained him," Peoples said.
"He ran third to Echo Point two years ago and then ran midfield behind Fire King last year."
Peoples branched out on his own recently after a joint training partnership with his mother, Kristie Clark-Peoples.
"Centaur is my first runner on my own as a trainer," he said.
"I started a partnership with my mother about nine months ago and our first winner was at Toowoomba.
"It's always been the plan to transition into training myself and I'm looking forward to the challenge.
"Mum was with me to help guide me through and she and Dave (Peoples) are still involved working around the stables."
Peoples worked for champion trainer Peter Moody at Pakenham for three months after stepping away from the armed services where he served for a decade.
"It was a great experience and very rewarding working under Moods and I learnt a lot from him," he said.
Stable apprentice Erin Molloy rode Centaur at his last appearance and Peoples has backed her ability with her booking again.
"Erin rode him well last time but she won't be able to claim this time in the qualifier," Peoples said.
