by Ross Stanley
South Burnett stables will be in the front line at Wondai’s popular Anzac Day fixture.
The township will be “defended” by Norma King’s trio, namely Shearer’s Magic, Kool Heaven and Master Vinnie, the Tony Williams-trained Mr Axeman and Kristen Wenck’s charge Epona Fire.
Mr Axeman, a gelding by Mossman, sire of the Golden Slipper’s winner Mossfun, is resuming duty after a spell and is the only runner all day with a Wondai success to its credit.
Nanango’s Glenn Richardson has a well-armed brigade.
Latarno, his $41 Maiden winner last Saturday over 1625m at Toowoomba, will drop back in distance in the Smithfield Feedlot Digger’s Cup (Class B, 1475m).
The daughter of Southern Image, sire of the Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed, ran third at Esk over 1460m on April 12 and will be sporting silk for third consecutive weekend.
Richardson will be hoping that Golden Cash also makes it back-to-back victories. The Dash For Cash seven-year-old saluted in open company at Gympie and comes down in grade in the Hotondo Homes BM 65 (1100m).
The yard’s other contender, Manner Lassie, has been around the mark in recent times and is due to hit the target in the Wayne, Shanyn and Jordan Sippel Birthday QTIS Maiden Plate (1000m). The Manner Hill mare’s seven placings in 14 starts includes sound efforts at Toowoomba. Apprentice Tiffani Brooker will again partner all three candidates.
Another Nanango conditioner, Kaylene Hamilton, will be very happy if Mini Style can break through in the Datawave Internet/The Com.Pub BM 60 (850m). Last Saturday at Nanango, the stablemate Sammy Safecracker registered his 11th second placing in 26 sorties.
Hivesville horseman Peter Blackwell is looking to Shinzo Mashuranbo and his rider Billie-Rose Derbyshire to reprise their Maiden victory at Esk a fortnight ago. Although the four-year-old faces a stiff class rise, there is an encouraging form line involving rival Mrs Asia. The Amundsen mare, in winning at Class 2 level at Esk, took 0.41 seconds longer to complete the same 800 metre trip.
Blackwell’s other candidate is Glenthorn Avenue, a newcomer from Victoria. The bay, by Black Caviar’s sire Bel Esprit, has won at Benalla (1400m) and Terang (1850m) and will be fresh for this sprint assignment.
From a punting perspective, the only other Anzac Day acceptors (apart from Mr Axeman) that have previously raced on the Wondai circuit are Remy Martini, Epona Fire, Beautiful Barb and Mini Style. They have all filled a placing. For what it’s worth, Celtic Dragon is a recent winner on Gympie’s non-turf surface.
- Further details about the race day are available on our What’s On page
- The Fashions of the Field theme is “Feminine Fillies and Stylish Stallions”
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southburnett.com.au would like to welcome racecaller Ross Stanley to our pages. Ross is well-known in racing circles for his knowledge of the sport and is a regular contributor to racing newspapers.
