November 14, 2014
by Ross Stanley
Although it was a matter of minutes last Saturday before Nanango trainer Glenn Richardson saw Canid’s runner-up result altered to a win at Chinchilla, it took 18 months for Leica Fuse – prepared by Kumbia’s James Curtain – to ultimately prevail in a Thangool event that was “decided” on December 8, 2012.
The Chinchilla outcome centred around Matthew McGillivray, the widely travelled apprentice who had made a brilliant start to this season.
After posting 10 victories in August and eight in September, it was little wonder that he was in a jovial mood at Kilcoy early last month.
That day’s sense of humour (illustrated by the photos in this week’s column) was missing after the scales showed the talented young Roma-based rider was more than the allowable half kilogram below his requirement.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that McGillivray, with eight wins in October and three more already this month, missed his handicap mark by a very small margin after leading home the BM 55 field.
Ironically, his mount Blue Jest would have actually carried the appropriate impost in the very hot conditions because the skull cap and whip are not included in the weigh-out and weigh-in procedure.
As well as the penalty of losing the race to the runner-up through Blue Jest’s disqualification, McGillivray was suspended from November 14-27.
On furnace-like summer days, it may be worth having a basket of labelled water bottles in the starter’s vehicle so riders can have a quick swig from their own flask before loading commences.
This would seem to be a vital strategy in the event of a long delay at the barriers.
Canid (Nathan Evans, $11), although beaten four lengths in the 1400 metre contest, has been knocking on the door to the winner’s circle.
The Elusive City gelding’s five lead up outings since his Maiden breakthrough at Nanango in August had yielded a second, a third and two fourth placings.
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Curtain’s charge Leica Fuse, a Show A Heart gelding raced by Christiene Nettelfield, was belatedly awarded the Thangool Class 4 Handicap in June this year.
A protracted inquiry led to the drug-related disqualification of Power To Succeed, the Tony Button-trained galloper that had downed the “Grey Ghost” by a long neck.
The meeting coincided with the Ravishing Red pre-Christmas program at Nanango.
It has now become a red letter day for Old Boyneside with its perfect four from four scoreline.
Kate Curtain handled a stable double with Dame Judi and Park Central at Lee Park while the duo, namely Night Escort and Leica Fuse, that James took to Thangool are now both winners.
(Photo: Ross Stanley)
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Christmas Is Coming
Mt Perry in the north Burnett has been very well supported with a pleasing line up this weekend.
But Gympie’s program on Saturday, November 29, will be the last one at its Southside track until March 7.
Nanango Race Club’s next meeting will be its Shades of Christmas fixture on December 6.
Racegoers are reminded that the club’s January card that clashed with the Gold Coast’s Magic Millions Day has been dropped from its 2015 agenda.
However, its replacement meeting – scheduled for February 14 – is an ultra-exciting prospect.
A Twist of Pink Romance will be the Valentine’s Day fashion theme.
Related pursuits and celebrations that could be very apt for the occasion include first dates, self-managed speed dating, marriage proposals, engagement parties, hens and bachelor soirees, anniversary festivities and blind dates.
On the other hand, therapists often say that many faltering partnerships have been saved by the intensive excitement of a visit to a racetrack!
