June 20, 2014
by Ross Stanley
It may have been a winless occasion for South Burnett stables last weekend, but recent Lee Park victor Gentle Giant stood tall in the Keith Beavis Memorial Kilcoy Cup (1200m).
When the grey returned to the birdcage after his fast finishing, last stride win in the Nanango RSL-Garry & Margaret Banks Memorial Handicap on May 41, the Ferocity six-year-old – a $10 chance – looked as if he would be improved by the run.
Last Saturday, having just his fourth outing for Woodford trainer Shane Barling, Gentle Giant gave his quietly achieving mentor his third Kilcoy Cup, running home resolutely for jockey Ian Coombes after giving the pacemaker Embraer a handy start on the saucer sized course.
The stable’s former star Pattie’s Mate, which collected the trophy in 2010 and 2010, filled the runner-up spot in 2012 and 2013.
In short, only a length and a half has denied Barling a sweep of five straight Kilcoy Cups.
* * *
Newcomer Nails It
Jess Greacen (pronounced Grease-n) may be a new name in the south-east’s riding ranks, but she booted home her first Queensland winner when Mightysui landed the Golden Downs Handicap (1500m) for her Beaudesert master Tony Crane.
After travelling sweetly in the vanguard position, the Tsumai chestnut trounced the Benchmark 65 field on the damp Dead 5 surface.
The pairing had put the writing on the wall with a close fourth when resuming at Casino a fortnight earlier.
Greacen made her debut at Armidale in January 2010.
Her mounts Dura Princess and Montanus were both prepared by her Coffs Harbour master Brett Dodson and both finished second.
She finally broke her duck with Filconi at Murwillumbah at her ninth try.
During the first phase of her career, she plied her trade with around 40 northern New South Wales rides, and also picked up a Clifford Park placing.
Greacen then had a a six month stint in South Australia that kicked off in August 2010.
Jess focussed on the provincials near Adelaide, and also successfully ventured to the exotic venues of Roxby Downs and Ceduna.
A three year break from January 2011 followed, which allowed her to complete a psychology degree and spend time in Europe.
But the racing bug bit strongly, and Greacen returned to race-day silks at Lismore on 24 May.
Her rekindled enthusiasm has been rewarded.
She was back on the winner’s list after her second assignment and has scored three times from her last eight engagements.
* * *
No Struggle For Little Fighter
The lucrative Ian & Di McCauley-Brisbane Bloodstock Bonus-QTIS Maiden (1200m) may have unearthed a filly to follow.
While it’s probably unwise to get carried away with an eye-catching performance in a two-year-old fillies contest, the winning time of 1.10.63 recorded by Little Fighter, with Tiffani Brooker aboard, when the track was at it softest suggests that there is more going for the daughter of Myboycharlie than just the eight length gap she put on her rivals.
The seasoned, open class competitor Gentle Giant was only 0.16 seconds faster and the all-age Maiden winner was considerably slower, stopping the clock at 1.12.71.
The conditions and track layout may have assisted the bay from Stuart Kendrick’s Sunshine Coast yard, but it is also useful to note that her freshman sire produced the AJC Sires Produce Stakes heroine Peggy Jean and last weekend’s Rosehill winner Dowdstown.
* * *
Coming Up
Mt Perry has drawn plenty of contenders for its CareFlight-Royal Flying Doctors Charity program this Saturday.
Further information is available by phoning (07) 4156-3295, by by emailing the club or on the club’s Facebook page, where I particularly liked the following message:
“Fly in time restrictions for Race Day, Saturday 21st June: Aircraft must be landed before 12:00 noon and remain at the race course until after the last race has been finalized at 4:30pm. The running rail will be erected across the airstrip, both ends, from 12 noon till completion of racing.”
For those reading this and wondering what I am talking about, the airstrip is down the centre of the Mt Perry race course and the running rail would be a considerable hazard for light aircraft to trip over.
