June 24, 2016
The response to the Three Cups Goldrush Challenge has unearthed a host of hopefuls for the Gympie Turf Club’s meeting at Adrian McClintock Park on Saturday.
The project is designed to boost the field size of the RSL Club Cup and the forthcoming metric mile events, namely the Nolan Muster Cup (August 20) and Nationwide Civil Gympie Cup (October 22).
The task of taking out the $5,000 prize for the trainer of the top point-scoring horse is not at all easy.
For starters, the horse must compete in the Gympie Cup and at least one other leg.
Points are registered on a 30, 10, 5 and 2 basis for the top four finishers, with the also-rans picking up a point each.
Wonder if the successful trainer will give the noble steed’s owners half of the bonus!
The RSL Cup, with a capacity line up of a dozen and a reserve, is brimful of interest.
Jason Hoopert continues his association with Foregone.
The bay, along with Legazpi and Windfleet, will represent Kerry Munce’s local yard.
The six-year-old Foreplay gelding has a home-ground history of 12:5-2-2, but has been off the scene for two months and is in receipt of four kilograms from the top weight Glenthorn Avenue, the son of Bel Esprit that has been a very useful money spinner for Hivesville horseman Lindsay Anderson.
Barry Gill will hoist Pietro Romeo into the saddle of track-specialist Unique Fuse.
The Chateau Istana seven-year-old has amassed an incredible nine wins, nine seconds and three thirds from 26 engagements on the sand circuit – a record that suggests his last two failures on the grass should be overlooked.
Bevan Johnson’s stables are at Miles and it is certain that he won’t shrink from travelling the miles to get Sialia Magic back for the future legs of the series.
This Magic Albert mare is adept on non-turf surfaces and has scored seven times at distances from 1500 to 1650 metres.
Emily Cass partners Danehill’s grand-daughter on Saturday.
Meanwhile Miss Alexandra, a candidate for Gympie Regional Council BM 50 Handicap (850m), was luckless last start at Kilcoy in the Class B Handicap (800m).
Stewards indicated that the mare, prepared at Blackbutt by Wayne Farrington, began awkwardly and was then held up and unable to improve from the 400 metres until inside the 100 metres.
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Kilcoy Notes
Fast Track Magic, last home in the BM 50 event, and his rider Stephanie Lacy also featured in the Kilcoy report.
The favourite was checked at the start when another runner jumped outwards.
Near the 900 metres, Lacy was struck in the face by a clod of dirt.
This incident placed her at a distinct disadvantage. She was unable to ride her mount competitively for the remainder of the event, was subsequently treated by ambulance staff and transported to Kilcoy hospital.
Stephanie is looking for smoother work at Roma this weekend.
Meanwhile, rookie Corey Bayliss chalked up his second career victory when he booted home the Fastnet Rock gelding It’s All Irish for the Donald Baker stable in the Keith Beavis Memorial Kilcoy Cup (BM 60, 1500m).
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Bits And Bridles
- Racing enthusiasts get another chance to visit Eagle Farm on Saturday. Tattersall’s Tiara, the nation’s final Group One for the season, is the eighth of ten on the card. The rail is at the six metre placement and the surface rated as Soft 6 on Friday morning. With very strong winds forecast, an upgrade would be expected. It will be interesting to see if the Stradbroke Day racing pattern of scouting wide for the send half is replicated.
- Many racing establishments continue to skip Sunshine Coast programs that are switched to the cushion course. Last Sunday there were 109 acceptors with 58 ultimately heading to the barrier. On the other hand, at day’s end there were 32 prize money cheques earned.
- However support is strong for two rural fixtures on Saturday. The feature of the Hutchinson Builders Alpha Community Cup raceway has a $20,000 purse with the support attractions worth a minimum of $10,000. Laura Amateur Turf Club, with its $12,000 weight-for-age Cup topping the bill, throws in travelling rebates of $200 per horse and $300 per jockey. Both organisations also have a QTIS Bonus race and significant cash prizes for the leading trainer and leading jockey.
- Esk Jockey Club will be hoping that, after leaving home to vote, folk will continue on to the races on Saturday week. The special theme is the Rio Olympics. Even though the bumper Mater Children’s Hospital Charity Days are over, the July date still draws patron that love to have fun. Maybe there will be some Brazilians in sporting attire in the bookies’ payout queues. By the way, because of the weather-induced abandonment of Warwick’s meeting this week, Racing Queensland has added a $7,000 Benchmark 60 Handicap (1460m) to the advertised Esk program.
