April 22, 2016
The South Burnett Race Club’s Anzac Day fixture generated excitement for several local parties and, fortunately, some spillages came to safe conclusions.
Miss Alexandra (Maurice Crawford, 2/1) from Wayne Farrington’s Blackbutt yard got the ball rolling in fine style in the Hotel Cecil Maiden Plate (1100m).
The mare by Shovhog from Manda Panda had certainly been frustratingly thereabouts in her last eight assignments that had yielded two seconds, three thirds, a fourth and two fifth placings.
There was always extra merit in Miss Alexandra’s striving because she has to contend with chronic feet problems.
The six-year-old is raced by her breeders Denis and Patricia Bugler.
They named the bay after their Russian grand-daughter Alexandra, because both were born on October 1, 2009.
The Buglers also bred and owned Manda Panda.
They named the Pride of Kellina mare, whose career form line wound up at 54:2-13-8, after their daughter.
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The I Am McLovin-Hannah Phillips combination proved too strong for their rivals in the Benchmark 50 Handicap (850m).
The James Curtain trained gelding, having recovered from a bone chip issues, has developed into a handy competitor.
The Kumbia based sprinter remains undefeated at Wondai after three appearances over the 850 metre trip.
Luck was in for the bookmakers, though, when Sialia Magic dipped sharply as the gates opened for the Wondai RSL BM 55 (1465m), dislodging jockey Montanna Savva.
The Miles mare was a hot favourite but there were favourable breaks.
The riderless horse did not seem to cause problems in transit and it was a great relief that Savva was not significantly injured.
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Last year, with the Jim Lenihan Memorial at Kumbia on Melbourne Cup day as the target, Nanango trainer Glenn Richardson put together a syndicate to buy Lucks In, a member of Patrick Sexton’s Oakey string.
The move came up trumps: after the instant success in November, the Bradbury’s Luck gelding picked up a Chinchilla win and seconds at both Nanango and Goondiwindi.
The pilot on that famous Tuesday and Anzac Day was stable apprentice Hannah English.
The ownership team consists of Richardson, Jim’s brother Brian, Richardson’s mother Glenda, Wayne Hancock and English’s grandmother Noelle Bartlett.
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Riding honours at Wondai went to the in-form apprentice Adam Spinks.
He landed a double to add to his treble at Gympie three weeks earlier and has chalked up seven winners for the month of April.
His effort on Duan Theo, the pick up ride to replace the indisposed Amy Van Der Sanden in the Datawave BM 45 (1100m), pleased Gladstone trainer Denis Schultz.
The Pure Theatre seven-year-old started off in his care but was later moved on and eventually put on the market.
Schultz, in paying just $500, has a bargain as Monday’s first prize cheque was worth $4,550.
Spinks also partnered Shoulda to Shoulda and By Concent for Gympie conditioner Kerry Munce.
The former confirmed he is a nob on the sand, justifying the short odds and offer by cruising home comfortably.
The Chateau Istana four-year-old’s ability and Adam’s three kilogram claim helped the popular fancy prevail.
The saddle slipped on By Concent around 400 metres out in the BM 50 contest, but luckily Spinks stayed aboard until the pulling up zone was reached.
He did come off, but was fit to have a crack at a treble with General Kingsman in the finale.
His mount from Oakey strove hard against Lucks In but could only earn post-race time in the runner’s up slot.
Elijah-James, part owner Clint Morris’s very young son, was sporting replica green and gold silks.
The chestnut by King of Happiness was off the scene from October 2014 to January this year, but his fitness levels have improved .
Hopefully for the mascot and the bill-payers, a visit to the winner’s circle is looming up.
One downside to the program concerned Shoulda to Shoulda and Lucks In’s stablemate Mollara.
They both bled and will be sidelined for a mandatory three months.
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Burrandowan Is Beckoning
It’s time to grab a cuppa, sit down and plan an excursion to the Burrandowan meeting on Saturday, May 14.
The comprehensive Burrandowan Races website should be your first port of call.
There you will find details about how to get there, camping, the fashion and entertainment on offer, the morning clay pigeon shoot and the evening pit fired BBQ with dance music by Kerry Kennedy and Double Barrel.
Pre-booking is required for the pick-up Gourmet Luncheon Hampers or High Tea in the Hall at 3:00pm.
Many groups bring their own foldable chairs and create a trackside base.
The venue is the real bush, so it is no place for mobile phone addicts or for those who need to access an ATM.
Instead, it is a time to socialise with humans and horses.
Fittingly, the race day supports the RACQ Careflight Program.
Enquiries can be directed to Burrandowan Picnic Race Club’s Secretary, Mrs Carolyn Stone by e-mail, by phoning (07) 4164-8147 or by post (MS 514 Kingaroy Qld 4610).
For the racing fraternity, the minimum purse is an above-average $8,000 per race with the Cup (BM 50,1600m) worth $10,000 all up.
For good measure, the Maiden Plate (1000m) serves up $12,500 for QTIS eligible bloodstock and a QTIS two-year-old fillies bonus also applies.
Thanks Ross Stanley for the write up on the Burrandowan Races. Looking forward to having you as our race caller this year. Saturday 14th May 2016 is definitely the place to be in the South Burnett. It is shaping up to be another huge day of racing, fashions, high tea, picnics and fun at this, our 94th race meeting. Bring a group, friends and family and have a fantastic day out in the country.