April 22, 2016
Three horses that filled a trifecta at Wondai’s Anzac Day fixture last year are back seeking share of the cash on Monday.
In the Smithfield Feedlot Class 1 (850m) twelve months ago, I Am McLovin accounted for Wonderful Tess and Nug’s Pocket.
This time, the latter pair will clash in the Datawave Benchmark 45 (1100m) while their conqueror will look to make it three from three on the sand circuit by saluting at BM 50 level.
I Am McLovin ticks several boxes.
The four-year-old is unbeaten over the 850 metre course. He performs well fresh, having scored both times when kicking off a preparation. And his pilot Hannah Phillips was at the helm when he won there last October.
Last time in, the Murtajill gelding’s six start campaign collected three wins, a second and a fourth placing.
The only wage-free assignment was in the much tougher class over 1050 metres on a very heavy Doomben track in January.
The Nanango duo of Mollara and Miss Alexandra are akin to bridesmaids with an eye to the main bouquet.
Although the former has won once, she has also trailed the centre of attention with some seven seconds from her fourteen public outings to date.
Miss Alexandra is a maiden that has been in the attending party some seven times.
No one would begrudge these equine lasses limelight in Wondai’s winner’s circle this Anzac Day..
The program is chockful of interest from a South Burnett perspective.
Trainers Kristen Wenck (Nug’s Pocket) and Neville O’Toole (Denarte) are the standard bearers for the Wondai locals.
The fraternity would also welcome a victory for jockey Jason Missen, who partners Glenthorn Avenue for Hivesville’s Lindsay Anderson.
The now Downs-based hoop has picked up two placings from nine rides since coming off a three month long, injury induced lay-off.
Nanango will be represented by apprentice Hannah English and acceptors prepared by Glenn Richardson (Canid, Mollara, Lucks In) and Barry Phillips (Captain Clayton).
Goondiwindi conditioner Sheree McEwan does not shirk travelling.
The form of her six aspirants reveal some recent appearances have been recorded at Lightning Ridge, Beetoota, Birdsville, Eidsvold, Noorama and Surat.
It is worth noting that Whitlock was not in her team when it raced at places such as Bedgerebong and Trangie!
* * *
A Racegoer’s Guide To Terms
The race book (or program) for Wondai contains a form guide. Whilst there is a section that explains how to decipher the data, it is probably useful to run over what types of events are involved.
The opening contest is simple: it is a Maiden Handicap. The only eligible runners are those who are yet to win.
The other races are all Benchmarks, where all horses bar two-year-olds and Maidens are issued with a handicap.
In a way, the system is similarly to the one that applies to golfers – the figure can go up and down as the performer improves or disappoints.
The assessments are made by Racing Queensland’s panel at Deagon.
In the thoroughbred world, the higher the numeral assigned, the better the class is.
In Wondai’s BM 50, the weight of a horse with a 50 rating is a standard 59 kilograms.
It is a case of plus or minus a half kilogram for each point above or below that mark of 50.
Hence I Am McLovin has 61.5 because of his 55 rating. Whitlock, with a 52 rating, has been allotted 60 kilograms.
The other five acceptors are mares and a filly. and that gender gets a two kilogram allowance.
By the way, before their last start triumphs, the ratings for Winx and Chatauqua were 120 and 116 respectively.
* * *
Orman’s Journey Reaches Feature Level
The result of Toowoomba’s time honoured Weetwood Handicap on Saturday, April 16 saw apprentice Jimmy Orman pass another occupational benchmark.
The Gatton lad, who is indentured to his mother Caroline Allardyce, has added a famous black-type race to his resume, courtesy of the Tony Sears trained Choice Bro.
By close of business on April 22, Orman, who has outridden his city claim, had a massive lead on the Queensland All Tracks Premiership.
His 120 winners dwarfs the 74 posted by second-placed Jim Byrne.
However, on the metropolitan ladder, the duo both sit on 57.
The work and travel ethic of the former national junior gymnastic champion suggests he still has his feet firmly on the ground despite his mounts accruing $3,153,100 in prizemoney so far this season.
On the day after the Weetwood, Orman booted home Amber Jewel for Allardyce at their home track.
The first ever winner for the much admired operator was somewhat of a misnomer.
It was Shadowy Past at Nanango on May 18, 2013. The neddy should have been called Bright Future!
* * *
Vale Lloyd Hickmott
It is sad to report that former trainer and stud master Lloyd Hickmott passed away on April 8.
The 83 year-old will be fondly remembered in the South Burnett.
The former Richmond horseman stood the stallions Pharaonic, Tipperary Star and King Star at his Wyalla Stud in the 1960s.
Hickmott was one of the energetic band that put their shoulder to the wheel when the Nanango Race Club was reformed in 1967.
He went on to become a leading trainer on the Gold Coast, putting the polish on the likes of Venom, Foreign Interest, Bazza and Crossman.
Lloyd was also the main driving force behind Ken Russell’s move there.
The Monto jockey’s outstanding achievements in Queensland and in the south more than justified those overtures.
After an absence of around three decades, Lloyd and his wife Jan made an enjoyable and profitable visit to Lee Park in September 2013.
On that occasion, their son Kelvin saddled up the well priced, first-up winners Daily Planet and Burn in Turn.
Condolences are extended to Jan, children Kelvin, Jill and Tania and their families.
