August 11, 2016
In 2006, Lyall Appo led all the way on Pedro’s Amaizing to win the Nanango Cup, just like he did the previous year on Kane’s Crossing.
Both milers came from Chinchilla stables.
The latter was turned out by Andrew Donnelly and the former by Mark Goodwin, a horseman that is one of Appo’s best mates in the game.
Lyall’s son Beau lifted the 2012 Nanango Cup trophy with the suppport of Thunder Lane, while Lyall’s brother Bradley did likewise last year courtesy of Gaelstorm, the Oakey galloper that added to trainer Gilbert Baker’s earlier Cup triumphs with Anchor Bolt (2011) and Dandy Warhols (2010).
In this Saturday’s $10,000 XXXX Fitzroy Hotel Nanango Cup (1600m), Goodwin’s entrant is Brady ’n’ Me, a Zariz gelding that Appo has booted home for eight of its 11 career victories thus far.
This time around, the grandson of Plush will be partnered by Cecily Eaton.
Although her mount is untested over both track and journey, she will no doubt hope some of the Appo history will ride with her.
The local hope is Canid.
At first glance, the open grade looks a step too far but seven of the ten candidates are on the minimum.
The Glenn Richardson runner has been in the frame for five of his 11 attempts at Lee Park, and has two 1400 metre wins and a metric mile second to his credit.
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Remembering Mick’s Luck
A special feature of Saturday’s program at Lee Park will be a tribute to Mick’s Luck, a 1960s-70s warhorse extraordinaire.
Aptly, the top-weight for the event that bears his name is Man of Law.
The neddy has a legal touch, given that The Magistrate was Mick’s Luck’s sire.
The other link is Man of Law will sport Mick’s Luck’s livery as it makes its debut under the ownership of the Nanango Race Club President Andrew Green and Glenn Richardson.
Richardson’s grandfather Fred Freeman, his mother Glenda and his aunt Margaret were amongst those intimately involved with the punters’ stalwart that became a household name in the south-east sector.
A future column will carry more details about Mick’s Luck’s achievements.
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Fascinating Results
Nanango trainer Kaylene Hamilton capped a great period with Monte Lago when the Encosta De Lago gelding took out the Ratings Band 0-60 Handicap (870m) on a soft surface at Toowoomba last Saturday.
Billie-Rose Derbyshire was in the irons for the seven-year-old’s eighth outing of a profitable preparation.
This time in, the bay has registered two wins, two seconds, a third, a fourth and two fifth placings.
In short, the sprinter that always gives his best has been a steady, delightful earner.
It was somewhat of a weird weekend for Hannah English, though.
How often do you almost win with a 100/1 pop and the very next day, after being a nose off victory, end up as the official winner because of someone else’s action?
On Saturday, the Glenn Richardson-English combination collected the minor money with Hopetoun Street ($101) in the Wilsonton Meats Class 3 (1000m) at Toowoomba.
The six-year-old, downed by just three parts of length is raced by Glenn, his brother Brad and his wife Erica, and Hannah’s father Frank.
Glenn gave Brad a share in the ex-Victorian because he happened to live in Hopetoun Street at Ascot.
In his role as clerk of the course, Brad escorted the Tattersall’s Tiara Stakes winner Cover Girl (Damian Browne) back to scale at Eagle Farm in June.
Hopetoun Street, the beneficiary of a gear change at Clifford Park, may not be a Group One contender but she was a pin-up for her each way supporters a week ago.
There was a misleading aspect to the form guide for the Kaphero mare – the Toowoomba event was decided on a soft track.
Whilst there is a database category to cover synthetic tracks, the sand and dirt circuits are not acknowledged per se. They are given a standard “good” rating.
This is a ridiculous situation.
Performers on these non-turf courses need to be able to handle a very giving going that is more akin to a rain affected affair.
Hopetoun Street, a Kilmore maiden winner in soft circumstances, has raced well at Wondai and Gympie. So the long odds on offer may have been a shade generous.
At Caloundra in the Stanley River Thoroughbreds Class 2 (1200m) on Sunday, English rode Pat Duff’s charge Diddy Win Diddy.
That question, so to speak, was answered in the affirmative because a protest by the fourth placegetter against the first horse past the post was upheld after a razor sharp finish in which the margins were a nose by a nose by a nose.
The upshot was that Diddy Win Diddy, second over the line, moved to first as the offender was dropped to fourth spot.
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Get Set For A Big Day Out
There is a lot to look forward to at Lee Park on Saturday, and the elements are there for a wonderful day.
As well as the absorbing six race card, the 2015-16 premierships will be presented and a classic ambience will be generated by the Moffatdale Ridge Wines’ Black and White themed Fashion contests.
Those that make it a once a year excursion will appreciate accessing the extra tables and the new mini grandstands.
See you there!
