August 5, 2016
The 2015-16 results of the premierships for the non-TAB meetings in the various districts show that Nanango apprentice Hannah English deserves a pat on the back.
Despite her injury time-out, her combined South East corner and Eastern Downs total of 26 tops that list.
It is quite an honour for a junior in her first full season to outscore the seniors in such a busy and competitive arena.
Many trainers and jockeys ply their trade in more than one of these zones and programs at TAB country venues are not included in the reckoning.
As apprentices progress in their careers, the number of non-TAB meetings they attend drops of in favour of provincial opportunities – at Toowoomba, in particular.
An outstanding strike rate was also registered by Hivesville conditioner Lindsay Anderson.
He saddled up a mere 21 times for five winners, five seconds and six thirds, which meant his charges were on the podium 76% of the time.
By the way, Stephanie Lacy produced a vital double at Roma last Saturday.
Her 28 winners from 173 engagements placed her two clear of English (159) on the Country Jockeys Queensland-wide table.
The pair of apprentices trailed Dan Ballard, who chalked up 46.5 winners in the far north-west of the state. David Rewald (214:26-35-24) and Adam Spinks (167:26-20-22) were next on the chart.
But Hannah English had a luckless afternoon, figuring twice in the stewards’ report.
Chris Bryen was reprimanded by the panel for an incident when English on Hizou brushed the running rail while racing in restricted room on the inside of Polar Blitz.
Later in the program, Luck’s In began very awkwardly, jumped in the air and dislodged Hannah.
She was cleared to ride Australian Venture in the finale but the pairing found the hot favourite Wild Godson, handled by former Nanango apprentice Cameron Dixon, a trifle strong.
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The Tables
Here are the season’s top three placings for the areas that make most impact on the South Burnett racing fraternity:
South East Queensland
(bordered by Beaudesert and Monto)
Jockeys:
- Montanna Savva – 82 rides: 17 wins (strike rate of 20%), 3 seconds (3%), 8 thirds (9%)
- Adam Spinks – 114: 16 (14%), 11 (9%), 14 (12%)
- Hannah English – 71:15 (21%), 10 (14%), 6 (8%)
Trainers:
- Darryl Gardiner – 85 starters: 21 (24%), 11 (12%), 11 (12%)
- Kerry Munce – 50: 12 (24%), 6 (12%), 3 (6%)
- Patrick Sexton – 46: 8 (17%), 6 (13%), 4 (8%)
Eastern Downs
(Toowoomba to Taroom to Texas)
Jockeys:
- Shannon Apthorpe – 47: 13 (27%), 3 (6%), 5 (10%)
- Hannah English – 64: 11 (17%), 8 (12%), 9 (14%)
- Stephanie Lacy – 49: 9 (17%), 2 (4%), 4 (8%)
Trainers:
- Tom Dougall – 63: 8 (12%), 14 (22%), 9 (14%)
- Bevan Johnson – 45: 8 (17%), 7 (15%), 7 (15%)
- Donald Baker – 27: 7 (25%), 5 (18%), 9 (14%)
Downs
(Roma to Augathella to Noorama)
Jockeys:
- Stephanie Lacy – 75: 18 (24%), 17 (22%), 10 (13%)
- Shane Egan – 77: 16 (20%), 17 (22%), 10 (13%)
- Leslie Tilley – 65: 14 (21%), 15 (23%), 6 (9%)
Trainers:
- Wayne Baker – 126: 19 (15%), 17 (13%), 12 (9%)
- Bevan Johnson – 101: 19 (15%), 17 (13%), 12(9%)
- Patrick Webster – 15: (26%), 8 (14%), 7 (12%)
* * *
Nanango’s Feature Event Looms Large
Because of the Brisbane Show holiday on Wednesday, nominations for the Fitzroy Hotel Nanango Cup card on August 13 close on Monday.
As well as the six local contests headed by the $10,000 Cup over the metric mile, racegoers will be able to cast an eye over the new season’s southern three-year-olds and older Spring hopefuls, courtesy of the on-course Sky television service.
Punters are reminded about the betting opportunities with bookmakers and the TAB plus the convenient visual displays of the fluctuations that reflect market movements.
The Rosehill attraction on Saturday week is the $150,00 San Domenico Stakes for sophomores (1100m, Gr 3).
Capitalist, the Magic Millions and Golden Slipper star, is expected to be a short priced favourite. The colt will be closely watched. There is always a question as to whether the brilliant two-year-olds reach the same heights at three.
Caulfield also caters for the classic age group with its Vain Stakes (males) and Quezette Stakes (females), a pair of 1100 metre, Group 3 races each worth $150,000.
Some major open company aspirants will line up in the $200,000 P.B. Lawrence (nee J.J. Liston) Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m).
Scrutinising the mid August racing often helps sort out the gallopers to follow.
Some copybooks are blotted. Some writing is put on the wall.
But the excitement certainly begins to stir.
