December 11, 2015
The South Burnett stables of Glenn Richardson and James Curtain will be able to serve up more than roast turkey on Christmas Day following the decisive victories by their charges at Lee Park last Saturday.
The former, along with his apprentice Hannah English, did a fine job in preparing Jill’s Shadow for a tidy success on debut in the Star Tyre Power Maiden Plate (800m).
The latter’s hope – I Am McLovin – made it three wins from his last four tasks in unusual circumstances in the Nanango RSL Club-Pederson Memorial BM 55 (1000m).
Both sprinters are by Murtajill and both were in the vanguard throughout.
Jill’s Shadow is raced by long-term Nanango friends in Richardson, Mark Alexander and Peter Jackson.
The three year old filly performed like an old trooper and found plenty over the final part.
English has chalked up at least one winner for nine out of her last ten working days.
Her season tally is an extraordinary 21 successes from 94 opportunities.
If Curtain, his wife Kate and his brother Laurie had given a “naughty or nice” report to Santa Claus earlier this year, the tidings would not have been glad for the grandson of Magic Albert.
The horse showed promise but had a few problems.
The bay must have heard his future lodging at Old Boyneside was in jeopardy because he promptly won at Wondai in April.
Although I Am McLovin had won twice this time in, he was put on the market last week and narrowly failed to reach the reserve.
The four-year-old responded by collecting more than the “asked-for” price last weekend.
Guess there will be a carrot or two in his stocking come December 25!
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The Nanango Tourism and Development Association Class 2 (1200m) was an absolute thriller in the stretch.
But it was no surprise when an objection followed the tight, desperate tussle that saw Chilldown from Geoffrey Schrader’s Jandowae yard beat Nador by a mere nose with Jason Missen’s mount Hopetoun Street in third berth.
Stewards found in favour of Lyall Appo, the rider of the runner-up, when he alleged there had been interference by Chilldown in the straight.
Losing rider Leanne McCoy was sporting.
After the bad news, she gave the new winning trainer Mark Goodwin a deserved peck on the cheek as she wished him a happy 69th birthday.
Appo knows what is required to salute with Nador, a performer that needs to be pushed along.
The Nadeem gelding’s 13-strong ownership syndicate extends from Darwin to Pottsville.
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McCoy quickly bounced back with a gem of a ride on Count Romano in the John Dundas Automotive Group BM 60 (1600m).
The Downs jockey gave the old Latarmiss gelding time to settle before timing his run to perfection.
The tactics would have delighted trainer Peter Blackwell, the Hivesville-based horseman who did well with the likes of Unbid Slam, and Machtig Mihi Panis.
Blackwell’s eye for a likely type was evident when he bought Dark Ksar very cheaply before the classy stayer of the 1990s was on-sold to the Hayes of Lindsay Park.
The Richardson-trained Lucks In (Hannah English) battled on very stoutly for a long neck second.
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Nanango’s next fixture is on Saturday, February 13.
“Pandemonium Pink” is the quaintly romantic fashion theme for program on the eve of Valentine’s Day.
Meanwhile the You Tube video race coverage which is accessible via the appropriate button at nanangoraces.com is proving popular.
The next closest race for South Burnett racegoers is at Esk, which will hold its own popular Christmas Party Day on December 19.
Trackside tents and marquee spots have sold out for this family day.
Santa will attend to the kids while the mini-trotters will be set an almost hot pace!
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Racing’s Future In Queensland
Racing Queensland’s Communication and Marketing Manager Adam Gardini has not responded to a request for clarification of aspects of the RQ Plan that was released on December 3.
So there is no point attempting to analyse the organisation’s Tracking Towards Sustainability document at this stage.
However, Lyle Murray, the Chairman of the South East Queensland Country Racing Association, indicated at Lee Park last Saturday that rural sector lobbying directed to Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has been rewarded.
Funding has been made available to counteract the proposed cuts to the country circuits.
More details will be outlined here as they emerge.
