June 12, 2015
Lee Park-based apprentices Hannah English and Hannah Philipps were the happiest of harvesters at Gayndah’s Orange Festival race meeting last Saturday.
The former picked up the $9500 Avance Chartered Accountants Gayndah Cup (1400m) on her first day out in silks, while the latter added a double to her recent home-turf double and Thangool treble.
English’s opening attempt was for her master Glenn Richardson, but Miss Pugnacious failed to flatter.
Things quickly improved for the Wondai-born rookie with her rides for Nanango premiership winning trainer Patrick Sexton producing the well rated, all-the-way Cup victory on Winner Wimmer and minor place money on Flinders Luck and Lucks In.
The Bradbury’s Luck duo finished only a long neck and a neck, respectively, from their conquerors so English was three times in the mix in what was a memorable debut.
Hannah’s early introduction to thoroughbreds came via her hobby-trainer parents Frank and Gabrielle.
Her early primary school years were spent at Wondai before the family moved to a Nanango address that is a hand canter from Nanango’s racecourse.
Animals have always been the cornerstone of the 25-year-old’s working and personal life.
She served for around a decade as veterinary nurse at centres in Nanango and Kingaroy, and developed saddle skills at pony club before a successful period in the worlds of dressage and eventing.
Hannah’s desire to become jockey has evolved during her four year stint at Nanango as a trackwork rider and strapper for the Richardsons.
Her agenda on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings includes a trip to Oakey to assist Sexton with his large team.
Participating in jump-outs and barrier trials at Toowoomba was a key part in her education and licensing requirements.
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In recent months Hannah has been on the back of Winner Wimmer in conditioning gallops, and so she was no stranger to the Real Saga four-year-old when legged up last weekend.
Patrick, a former foreman for the Gai Waterhouse juggernaut, may well have learnt the importance of supporting apprentices from his father Peter.
Back in 1951, “Ceb” Barnes opted to stay in Brisbane to be with his mother Sara when her home-bred filly Chez Dior ran in the prestigious QTC McDougall Stakes.
The alternative was to go to Melbourne to watch his own horse Basha Felika compete as favourite in the Caulfield Cup.
The Eagle Farm riding responsibilities were handed to young Peter.
The lad came from well back to salute on the 12/1 chance and then Neville Sellwood made it a rare double for the Canning Downs identities.
He booted home the prime Cup fancy a half neck ahead of fellow Queenslander Blue Vest, a 25/1 outsider fathered by The Buzzard.
By remarkable coincidence, the runner-up was bred and raced by Lyndhurst Studs’ Jack McDougall, Ceb’s friend and neighbour who stood The Buzzard.
“Dad actually wished for a dead-heat.In 1945, Jack urged my father to put his mare Perfect Morn to The Buzzard before the sire was retired,” John Barnes told Queensland Racing Magazine in November 2007.
“In fact, he made it a free service as a welcome home gift to Ceb on his return from RAAF wartime duties.”
That mating created Basha Felika.
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Captain Clayton, Hannah Phillips’ best four-legged mate, did the right thing again, carrying 60.5 kilograms to win the Neville Gordon Memorial BM 65 Handicap (1000m).
The partnerships’ last four assignments have chalked up three wins and a third.
Phillips also scored on Al’s Briefs and finished was runner-up on Everingham, Famechon Baroness (beaten a lip) and Achievements (in the Cup).
Seldom does a jockey with a full book collect gold or silver medals all day!
Collectively, the pair of Hannahs – with their nine engagements – filled seven of the 15 podium places at Gayndah.
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Given that there is racing set down for Toowoomba (Friday), Kilcoy (Saturday) and Dalby (Sunday), Eidsvold Race Club has reason to be delighted with the fields for Saturday’s Cup card.
The North Burnett club offered an $8000 minimum in the replacement edition of its washed out February fixture.
Hannah English will be looking to increase Winner Wimmer’s silverware haul in the $9000 Bruce Chiene Insurance Eidsvold Cup (1350m).
She will also partner Sexton’s other aspirants Show A Noee, Lucks In and the aptly named She Brings Joy as well as Luna Azzura for Richardson.
Lyall Appo will return to his birthplace to pilot the Mark Goodwin trained I’m The One in the Cup.
There is considerable South Burnett involvement in the Eidsvold program, so hopefully there will be positive tales to tell here next week.
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Meanwhile, through no fault of its own, the Kilcoy Race Club has drawn a disappointing line-up of seven acceptors for its lucrative $15,000 Ian and Di McCauley Brisbane Bloodstock Bonus QTIS Maiden for two-year-old fillies (1200m).
The well established initiative is restricted to female riders, and carries a bonus free service to Top Echelon, a prize enhanced by the track deeds of his sons River Lad and Our Boy Malachi.
Somehow Toowoomba is also staging gender-specific juvenile QTIS maidens.
The eight-runner limit that applies from the 1000 metre start meant that the fillies’ event was split into two divisions.
The Clifford Park winner, if QTIS eligible, will be paid $17,600 while the Kilcoy counterpart will receive $13,250.
Oddly enough, the eight colts and geldings in their contest will all be handled by female riders.
Kilcoy’s other five events, including the Keith Beavis Memorial Kilcoy Cup (1500m), each have a $7500 purse.
Hannah Phillips will be hoping that her three rides earn her the $500 award for the leading female jockey.
There is a similar gift to the top male hoop with the overall best rider picking up the $200 Bruce Duncan Memorial Challenge Trophy.
Another cash incentive put up by the K.R.C. is the $500 that goes to the leading female trainer.
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Carnival Capers
Brisbane Racing Club enjoyed wonderful weather for its recently concluded four meeting carnival.
A visit to Doomben last Saturday would have really opened the eyes of anyone who had not attended a major meeting in Brisbane for some years.
The challenge for planners is to provide choices, both cost and quality wise, for patrons and exploit all available spaces to accommodate the range of options generated.
The general public admission for Stradbroke Day was $35, and a race book cost $8.
A huge number of racegoers arrived early with one mission in mind – they sought a free table and chairs that would be a base for their party.
The range of more private and sophisticated environs was topped by The Birdcage, a significant double level construction (pictured) that was located past-the-post with head-on race vision.
The charge was $700 per head for a package that included admission, racebook, an on-going finger food (called cocktail) menu, premium beers, wines and champagne.
The precinct was sold out.
The other end of the scale was the Patchwork Steakhouse, formerly the Gunsynd Garden.
$85 got you entry, a wine on arrival, a steak and sides and the all important reserved seating.
Horse-lovers were pleased to note that the area was close to the mounting yard and horse-stalls.
Between the extremities were 14 other sites including various marquees, the Chalets, Little Brisbane (Infield), Lawn Party, Punters’ Den, Johnnie Walker Lounge, Hometurn Party and Terraces Dining Rooms.
It must be said that all settings were stylish if not economical for those with a mortgage.
The fascinating aspect was the creativity in utilising areas to their utmost.
The bottom line is that the income delivered is akin to the food storage squirrels and the like have to achieve for the harsher times.
Racing clubs can all do with days when the conditions are ideal for harvesting.
