June 10, 2016
The successful tenor of the meetings at Burrandowan and Nanango in May continued in the North Burnett last Saturday.
Eidsvold missed the southward sweeping rain band, so an absorbing fixture was staged on a soft (5) surface.
Although presently sidelined with a broken wrist, Hannah English has more than passing interest in this weekend’s Gayndah Cup card.
The Nanango apprentice, who is about to complete a marvellous first year in the pigskin, will be cheering for Jill’s Shadow, Canid and Hidden Angel to salute for her master Glenn Richardson.
She will also be following the fortunes of Ibelieveicanfly, Dr Quincy and Hizou, members of Patrick Sexton’s string.
The Oakey trainer prepared Winner Wimmer, the Real Saga gelding that she booted home for her debut victory in the 2015 Gayndah Cup.
He has his nose in front of Bundaberg conditioner Darryl Gardiner in the battle for the $1,000 bonus that goes to the highest point scorer across the Eidsvold-Gayndah meetings.
Gardiner will collect a $1,000 bonus if Al’s Briefs adds Saturday’s Cup to its Lions International Sustain Series Open win at Eidsvold.
English, meanwhile, will be desperate to get back into action in time to clinch a couple of premierships.
She currently has a two win edge on Stephanie Lacy in the Queensland Country Apprentice’s division.
The Apprentices’ scoreboard for the South East Country Racing Association area is ultra close with English (15), Adam Spinks (14) and Montanna Savva (14) settling down to fight it out.
The season concludes on July 31.
By the way, the juniors are well clear of the seniors in the SECRA field with Jason Hoopert (10), Kelly Gates (7) and Ian Coombes (6) heading the ranks of the fully-fledged jockeys.
Gardiner (19) is well clear of Danny Munce (10) on the SECRA trainers’ ladder.
Savva picked up an Eidsvold double with Ibelieveicanfly and Dr Quincy while Spinks landed his blow on Al’s Briefs, a handy son of Brief Truce and Al’s Petite.
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Encouragement For The Frustrated
A heartbreak run ended for one galloper at Eidsvold while another soldiered on to more disappointment.
Gas Burner, a well named son of Primus, broke through in the Hatton and Sons-Santa Hat BM 60 after he had been on the podium at his five previous appearances.
On the other hand, the Gary Teal trained Get That Indya, runner up to Al’s Briefs, has now filled second berth four times from his last six attempts.
The Storm of Indya nine-year-old’s lifetime record shows 14 seconds and two thirds to go with seven victories.
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Take Two For Eagle Farm
There was a certain inevitably about the cancellation of last week’s Oaks meeting – Racing Queensland stewards and Brisbane Racing Club officials were caught between rock and a very wet place.
A miracle did not prevail and the weather forecasters could have landed some tidy side bets.
The worst case scenario was obvious: calling it off because of visibility problems after a few races would have left the scarred track at the mercy of the elements.
How could the course be expected to recover and provide a top class surface for the signature attraction of the year just seven days later?
The ten event Stradbroke Day program has drawn almost all of the major interstate stables, a host of smaller operators and a strong cross-Tasman representation.
Although there are no established elite thoroughbreds on the bill, the depth of the contests is extremely satisfying.
Trainer Ciaron Maher appears to have timed Azkadellia’s preparation to a nicety.
It is no surprise that the Shinko King (Ire) mare is favoured to replicate the successful performance turned in by her stablemate Srikandi in the sprint’s 2015 edition.
There are unsubstantiated rumours suggesting the name Azkadellia gives females the desire for success and financial accumulation and the confidence and drive to go after their ambitions, regardless of obstacles.
These are perfect attributes for a Group One triumph!
The top weight Black Hear Bart, with a 9:5-3-0 form line over the trip, ticks most of the boxes.
Major races more often than not end up with at least one long shot in the frame, so it is worth including a double figure prospect in your investment portfolio.
I am not recommending it be The Virginian, a last start Class 1 winner at the Gold Coast.
There is nothing wrong with having a throw at the stumps, but it is best to be at least inside the Gabba and not in Vulture Street at the time.
In the 1977 Stradbroke, Sir Wisp (Glen Killen) swept along the rail to cause a 100/1 boil over.
Trainer Tony Mazzaglia and several owners had voted to bypass the time-honoured handicap in favour of easier targets.
Sir Wisp’s subsequent third placing in Maybe Mahal’s Doomben 10,000 suggested that Stradbroke surprise was no fluke.
Channel Seven Network will be covering the mammoth meeting.
