February 20, 2015
by Ross Stanley
The fairer sex, after kicking off with the first six placings in the opener at Lee Park last Saturday, certainly ended up with the roses and chocolates when it came to riding rewards.
Although outnumbered by the males 11 to 9, the female jockeys went within a half length of a clean sweep with veteran Davin Green the only man to salute.
Overall, nine of the 15 podium places generated by the five event card were filled by five female apprentices, a group whose haul embraced a trifecta and two quinellas.
The standout success was Jodi Worley. Grafton’s junior hoop, indentured to former Sunshine Coast trainer Paddy Cunningham.
Jodi landed a double and two seconds from four rides after a five hour drive from Glenn Innes.
Two days later she chalked up another double at her home track in the Northern Rivers.
Travel was a sub-theme of the day with the bookend races taken out by stables located 500 kilometres part.
Bundaberg conditioner William Melvin combined with Gympie apprentice Billie-Rose Derbyshire to score in the appetiser with Empress Ayleah, while Worley’s dessert-time winners Carbonendi and Pyrendi were prepared by Darren Graham, the Murwillumbah mentor who preferred the firm going at Nanango to the softer tracks on offer in the northern fringe of New South Wales.
It was also a red letter day for local apprentice Hannah Phillips on the anniversary of getting her licence.
Although she has registered an encouraging flow of winners, her comfortable triumph on Captain Clayton was her first for her father-master Barry.
The side picked up a runners-up cheque at the previous Nanango fixture.
The Danbird gelding was an acceptor for this weekend’s washed out Doomben program. Tegan Harrison was booked to be the pilot.
Note: The race results summary can be revisited at “Love Was In The Air” in the Racing section.
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Beginners Step Out
There is never a shortage of voices expressing the view that non-TAB country racing, because it does not produce betting turnover, should be significantly cut back.
Those folk need to explain the alternative source for experience for the rookies in the jockey ranks.
In short, where are the cadets going to get opportunities to learn their trade?
Last Saturday Jed Hodge, with one career win to his credit, and first-timers Stephanie Lacy and Isabella Rabjones were in action at Nanango.
The trio’s backgrounds are absorbingly varied.
Hodge did not see a horse of any kind in the flesh until he was 17.
Lacy’s parents were both jockeys and trainers in New Zealand.
Rabjones, an experienced show rider, has dreamt of becoming a jockey ever since she was four.
The initial taste for the lass from Pottsville was provided when her grandparents sponsored a race.
On Saturday, she held on to the reins in desperation after a fractious Monschapelle dislodged her en route to the barrier.
The Monashee Mountain filly was denied her freedom and Isabella was passed fit to run.
At the 100 metre mark, the pair looked likely to prevail but Worley and Carbonendi ate up the ground late and got in by a half length.
There was an odd touch about the outcome in that Darren Graham, the winning trainer, was once Rabjones’ boss.
Hopefully, all three novice four kilogram claimers will get further chances to practice and improve.
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Stumps Drawn After A Fine Knock
About a decade ago Regal Gentleman was a handy galloper from the Mount Beppo yard of Max Guldbransen.
The Forever Regal gelding was not the best thoroughbred to carry the Toogoolawah stable’s red, white and blue livery.
But the chestnut did have a name that matched his trainer, the Kilcoy born horseman with a gentle nature in all sorts of ways.
The 76 year-old, often described as being in the horse-whisperer mould, is a stockman’s grandson.
He attended camp-drafts as a child, had his first competitive bull ride at the Woodford Show in his early teens. and was on the other side of the “life-begins” age when he gave away the rodeo circuit in the early 80s after nearly a quarter of a century of successful participation.
Guldbransen made his mark as a stock horse-breaker on his Kilcoy dairy farm and almost inadvertently turned his hand to thoroughbred training in 1970 when he took up the chance to buy Manadair, a Todman gelding he had educated.
Among his host of success stories on country, provincial and city courses in the ensuing 45 years were Summer’s Angel, Guilded Queen and Al’s Kingdom.
Max’s wife Doris, a teacher by profession, has been a marvellous supporter.
Their three children have all been involved in equine endeavours.
Des was listed in the top ten bronc-riders for a decade.
Shane booted home 53 winners before, at 19, weight closed that avenue.
He then profitably turned his skills to the US rodeo scene.
Their daughter Jill rode in a couple of Lady-Only events in the 1970s when the females were striving strongly for the right to take on the men.
Regrettably for man and beast, it has become a little risky for Max to work with horses and so he has reluctantly had to retire.
Max prepared Affreux Woonack, Double Vite and Mac’s Illusion for Lance McCormack, an old rodeo rival who broke in the likes of Think Big and Leilani for Bart Cummings.
At Lee Park last Saturday, Guldbransen’s unblemished contribution to the sport was acknowledged with a gift presentation.
Fittingly he was given a copy of “The Master”, a biography of the legendary maestro.
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The Roads Ahead
Because of Cyclone Marcia, Saturday’s Eidsvold Cup meeting has been abandoned.
The club will seek a replacement date later in the season.
Gympie begins its 2015 program on Saturday, March 7.
Kumbia has been allocated a special Celebration Series race day on March 14.
And Nanango will host its popular Crow FM Easter Saturday fixture on April 4 when the theme will be Floaty Frocks and Polka Dots.
See you at the track!
