August 15, 2014
by Ross Stanley
In a mixed chaff bag, this week has seen riders past and present play various centre-stage roles in Brisbane and Beaudesert.
On Tuesday, a popular former local jockey who has been retired for 13 years picked up a placing of a very different kind.
Kingaroy’s Leah Frohloff – who was well known around the South Burnett’s tracks last century – entered Small World in this year’s Brisbane Royal Show.
Small World is a new purchase sired by the Caulfield Guineas winner Wonderful World, and Leah entered her in the contest for the mares that have raced (or trialled) in the previous twelve months
At the end of the judging, a white ribbon was wrapped around the bay’s neck.
This third placing was a very satisfying outcome for Leah’s first foray into the State’s largest exhibition.
Small World and Frohloff had a talented cheer-squad in their corner in the shape of the purebred Welsh pony Wattles Bavaria and his mate Patrick.
Patrick is Leah’s 12 year-old son, and he already has a Queensland Dressage Championship (10 and under) atop his own list of equine achievements.
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In the opener at Beaudesert, Faith Elliott felt her saddle on Ta Rara Boom De Ay slip sideways about 300 metres after the start.
Stewards indicated that the horse’s rider lost her offside iron near the 600m and nearside iron near the 400m and was placed at a significant disadvantage for the remainder of the event.
In running, Elliott morphed into the style of a pre-Tod Sloan straight-back, but defied the chasers to score well.
It is rare to see a rider win in the non-crouch vertical position, let alone one that manages to give her carrier a few slaps with the whip while holding the mane and gripping the cuddy’s belly with the legs.
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Apprentice Michael McKenzie, back after a ten week break, ended his reappearance in dramatic style by becoming the second straight-back display on the program.
His partner, Flying Tiger, was continually fractious after being loaded.
Stewards reported the horse “jumped in at the start and made heavy contact with its inside barrier gate, and was then further inconvenienced by Baja Boy which began awkwardly and shifted out making contact with that runner.
“In this incident McKenzie lost his nearside iron, which placed him at a distinct disadvantage for the remainder of the race.
“Sayori, which was following, had to be steadied and shifted wider on the track.”
After despatch, McKenzie was almost out the back and heading to the turf but he stayed in contact.
Racegoers held their breath as he recovered and Flying Tiger rushed from a clear last to be on pace before the middle stages.
The pair finished near the tail but it was fortunate that McKenzie and his rivals all completed the journey safely.
In this event, Chinsky – last home in the recent XXXX Gold-Carrollee Hotel Nanango Cup – appreciated the drop to the 0-55 Ratings Handicap (1650 metres) and gave Jason Hoopert the ideal return after his four months out of the silks.
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The meeting’s tale of frustration belonged to Manubu Kai – his four engagements yielded a second, a third and two fourth placings.
Manubu has had a dozen mounts since his unbelievable comeback at Warwick in mid-July.
Like Jason Hoopert a few years back, Manubu was told he would never ride again.
And like Hoopert, he refused to be denied.
Kai’s disaster happened in February 2008 when he fell from Mister Gamma in a Clifford Park trial.
The resultant brain injury was felt to be life-threatening.
However the Japanese lad got through it all and set about a long-haul rehabilitation process.
He was hospitalised in Australia for three months before going back to his homeland, where he went on to complete a degree in physiotherapy.
It would be great if he boots one home at Charleville on the weekend.
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Racing Lay Day
Unfortunately for non-TAB jockeys and apprentices, there is no meeting available for them in the South-East or Eastern Downs zones this weekend.
This is, from memory, an unprecedented situation except in the case of wet weather cancellations.
Dalby is one rural venue operating, but it is classified as provincial because Toowoomba is off roster on Saturday.
In short, Charleville and Emerald are the nearest country courses to Brisbane open for business this weekend.
Given the lull, there should be plenty of stables keen to race at Gympie on Saturday week, particularly given the enhanced prize money levels.
The minimum purse is $7,000 while the feature, the Nolan Meats Gympie Muster Cup (1600m), is worth a total of $20,000.
