October 28, 2016
Nanango apprentice Hannah English spent most of last Saturday afternoon under observation at Gympie hospital.
Bel Above, her late pick up ride in the Tattersall’s Racing Club QTIS Maiden (1170m), blundered at barrier rise.
Hannah was dislodged, seemingly stood upon, and had to forgo her remaining engagements.
Mel Cox and Cyril Small were her substitutes that subsequently made their respective way to the winner’s circle on Pat Duff’s pair Flinders Deagon and Fasta Than Light.
The latter, in outclassing its rivals in the River Junction Gympie Cup, clinched the $5,000 Three Cups Trainer’s Bonus for the Deagon conditioner.
Stewards also reported that Byron Babe, Vortuka and Tiverton “blundered on jumping away” during Gympie’s five event program.
English is booked to resume riding at Kumbia on Tuesday.
It was a red letter day for her a year ago when she chalked up a treble there.
Patrick Sexton’s charge Squeemi hightailed it down the grandstand side to easily open her account in the Rob Stewart Memorial.
The other triumphs proved to be special with Lucks In prevailing in the Jim Lenihan Memorial, and Jam Tin picking up the Huston Motors Kumbia Cup.
Lucks In was specifically purchased for the assignment by Jim’s family and friends.
Although the Bradbury’s Luck gelding won’t be lining up for the event’s second edition, his trainer Glenn Richardson and English will be delighted if Canid scores an overdue breakthrough on Melbourne Cup day.
Richardson has also accepted with Lower, Henagan, Hopetoun Street and Corryvreckan for Bundaberg’s Melbourne Cup day meeting, as has Lindsay Anderson (Glenthorn Avenue, Chen Wicko) and Wayne Farrington (Miss Alexandra).
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The Cup
Another key opportunity for English is Winner Wimmer in the very absorbing Huston Motors Kumbia Cup (Open, 1200m).
The duo’s initial outings in the 2015 winter picked up the cups at Gayndah and Eidsvold, and they were successful at their most recent attempt at Gayndah three weeks ago.
The Real Saga gelding that was off the scene from October 2015 to August this year is fit after his four tasks this time in. He and Squeemi sport the same livery.
The top weight Charge Missile is a well qualified candidate, too.
The son of Charge Forward was two from two after a pair of Canterbury outings in August 2013, and turned in a very tidy fourth at his next appearance at Rosehill on March 22, 2014.
The now Gatton based six-year-old raced well but without success in Sydney and the provincials before heading north some 18 months ago.
His ensuing six victories have been registered at Gatton, Dalby (2), Warwick, Casino and the Sunshine Coast (for Hannah English).
Louise Dillon’s three kilogram claim will bring Brenton Andrews’ stable lodger impost down to 61 kilograms.
More Of The Zaim and Sun Will Shine are both seeking a hat-trick while Amber Ale, prepared by Kumbia Race Club’s Vice President James Curtain, has a 3:1-1-1 record on his home turf and 8:1-2-1 for second up performances.
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The Usual Pressure
Understandably, with 25 race meetings scheduled for Queensland over the four days from Saturday to Tuesday, field sizes at many places are below average.
But Kumbia officials have every reason to be delighted with the industry’s support, with two contests drawing 11 and 13 aspirants. Some of the contenders hail from as far afield as Roma, Goondiwindi, St George and Charleville.
The problem has been exacerbated in the south-east with the introduction of the series of 12 event cards at Caloundra on Friday.
Half of the races at the Sunshine Coast had seven or fewer runners.
It may have been wise to wait a week or two before launching into these marathons. Corbould Park will be the scene for three fixtures in five days.
The other issue is the supply of jockeys for the south-east’s venues.
However, overall, the crowds that are attracted to the 14 tracks statewide on Tuesday justify staging the meetings.
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Added Interests
Kumbia Race Club is holding its traditional Calcutta at the Kumbia Hotel on Sunday from around 2:30pm.
Those to the north can enjoy the Rotary function on Cup eve at Munduberra’s Royal Hotel.
This year the name of Barry Baldwin will be added to the list of previous guest speakers that includes the likes of Mel Schumacher, “Darby” McCarthy, Jimmy Cook, John Marshall, Geoff Lane, Peter Cook, Noel Best, Alan Cowie and Graham Cook.
A brilliant backdrop of famous silks and saddles is worth travelling to see.
