March 24, 2016
Duchess Staghurst begins her racing life at Nanango’s Easter meeting on Saturday.
The James Curtain trained mare has to overcome a horror barrier draw in the McDonalds Kingaroy QTIS Maiden (1200m), and her breeding suggests she may not shine until her tasks get longer.
The four-year-old parallels the legendary Makybe Diva in that she is also by the Danehill stallion Desert King (Ire) from a Riverman (Fr) mare.
The bay’s pedigree boasts Northern Dancer on both sides and endowments by Lyphard and Nureyev, the sire of the brilliant Miesque.
Duchess Staghurst’s dam Queen Emma (Fr) also produced the Sydney stakeswinner Irish Dream.
Curtain Racing, sponsors of the Class B (1600m), will also have an eye on Man Overboard in the Glendalough Stud Brangus Maiden.
The very lightly raced five-year-old from Gary Maroney’s Oakey yard is by their stallion Over.
The brown gelding was not disgraced last September at Nanango when beaten less than two and a half lengths over 1000 metres.
This time the assignment is over 800 metres first-up.
Over’s unraced daughter Miss Mimi is also in the line-up.
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The Local Army Is Ready For Battle
Other South Burnett parties are also well represented at the Lee Park fiesta.
Glenn Richardson will leg Hannah English aboard Miss Mimi, Hidden Angel and Canid while Demesne is a first reserve.
Barry Phillips has prospects with track specialist Captain Clayton and Alemana.
Hannah English, who chalked up wins at Toowoomba (Hizou) and the Sunshine Coast (Show Command) last weekend, also partners the Patrick Sexton pair Squeemi and All Apples.
Best wishes go to Hayley Phillips. who returns after taking ill at Esk a fortnight ago.
Her partners are Captain Clayton and the visitors Sesancho, Favorite Shadow and Temujin Star.
By the way, Nanango trainer Wayne Farrington picked up second place with Striking Warrior at Bundaberg on March 19.
Dame Fortune is overdue to smile at his team. Six of the last eight runners he has sent out he have earned a place cheque of some sort.
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Tasmanian Juniors Prevail
Local juniors Mehmet Ulucinar, Victor Wong and Sherry Barr filled the trifecta in Wednesday night’s heat of the National Apprentices’ Series at Launceston.
Except for Randy Tan (WA), the visiting riders all piloted long shots.
Although Hannah English was unplaced on Savvy Princess ($11.30), she was just a long neck short of victory when third on the stablemate Boart ($10.80) in the next on the card.
The Nanango hoop kicks off her Easter agenda with four rides at Toowoomba’s six event program on Thursday.
The “Have Saddle Will Travel” young lady also sports silk at Caloundra on Sunday and Goondiwindi’s TAB day on Monday.
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The Ball Rolled On
Caloundra apprentice Tiffani Brooker has struck a purple patch of form.
After her triumph on Princess Prickle at Esk on March 12, she had a field day a week later at Clifford Park.
Her six bookings harvested wins on All Apples, The Yowie and We’s Done, second placings on Mollara and Tycoon Ace and the minor money with Gallivanter Cat.
For good measure, she added another notch with Spirit Of The Dawn the next day on home turf for her master Stuart Kendrick.
Her fifth on Katiekins on that program was the only unplaced effort in a span of eight rides.
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Reminders For Nanango On Saturday
Don’t forget to check out race day details on southburnett.com.au’s Daily Calendar.
You can also go straight to Nanango Race Club’s website if you prefer.
In late mail, I’ve heard there will be an MG Car Club in attendance at Saturday’s meeting, and any children donning Easter Bonnets are in for some goodies.
Recent rain has ensured an ideal environ and track conditions at Lee Park, and the racing will be exciting to watch.
There’ll also be a number of improvements to explore and enjoy for the first time, but I won’t say any more here because I don’t want to spoil the surprise.
See you trackside!
