The tried and true bush experiences for rookie riders traditionally stand them in good stead when they progress to the provincial level.
The latest to be promoted is Corey Bayliss.
The Sunshine Coast apprentice recently had thirteen engagements across meetings at Townsville, Rockhampton and Mackay, where he booted home Sporting Page on November 17.
Bayliss, who made his debut at Esk in May this year, has been in fine touch.
The son of country hoop Shaun Bayliss registered doubles at Gympie (October 29), Bundaberg (November 1) and Wondai (November 15).
His latest 34 rides have chalked up eight wins, seven seconds and four thirds.
Meanwhile Corey’s mate Adam Spinks has rebounded after being kicked at Dalby on October 29.
On his first day back last weekend, he visited the winner’s circle on Secrets Surround at Toowoomba.
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Nanango Reminders
Lee Park’s Sunday program on December 4 is an opportunity for Saturday regulars to chaperone family and friends who cannot attend on the first day of a weekend.
Given it is a pre-Christmas affair, the chances are that you will run into someone who you may not have seen in a good while.
If you want to have a party or put up a small marquee for a gathering or a picnic, please call Rosemary Hansen, the Nanango Race Club’s Raceday Secretary on (07) 4163-2346.
Do remember that racecourses are not BYO venues.
The Moffattdale Ridge Wines “Tea Party Florals and Bowties” Fashion on the Field segment will be finalised after the last race, together with the draw for raffle prizes that include meat trays, Christmas cakes, puddings and bubbly.
Live music will keep you entertained after the races.
For the little ones, there will also be a visit by Father Christmas as well as free fun on the jumping castle and face painting.
The normal Saturday free bus services from the Nanango RSL (12:30pm) and Kingaroy’s Glendon Street Depot (noon) will be available.
Nominations for the five event card that features a QTIS Bonus contest close on Tuesday.
It is helpful that the Eastern Downs non-TAB meeting on its race eve is at Goondiwindi.
The likelihood of runners from Dalby and Oakey stables appearing at Lee Park is enhanced.
The Sunshine Coast hosts races this Sunday, next Wednesday (with one of its dozen event marathons) and then Sunday as usual on December 4.
Ipswich is the venue next Friday with Kilcoy (December 3 TAB) and a Beaudesert TAB (December 6) all putting up their hands for horses.
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Hannah’s Unwanted Rest
After bolting in on Fab’s Cowboy for the Bevan Johnson stable at Roma last Saturday, Hannah English had mixed luck with Pure Sunset in the following race.
The 12/1 shot picked up second money, but she was found guilty of a charge of careless riding for failing to make sufficient effort to prevent her mount from shifting in leaving the 1100m.
As a result, three horses were placed in restricted room and Rhiatenn Road, which was racing on the fence, had to be checked to avoid heels.
Hannah was suspended from November 22 to December 1. Coincidentally, 50 metres later, Pure Sunset was placed in restricted room.
On the bright side, English wrapped up her third successive Saturday double when the Kevin Kemp trained Tisani Tomso scored in the $20,000 Open Handicap.
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Relief For Gympie
When nominations closed for this weekend’s meeting at Gympie, only 30 entries had been received.
Following an extension, the five races – originally with fields of nine, eight, five and two fours – had grown to 49.
Final acceptances totalled 38, with compositions thankfully ranging from eight to eleven.
Prizemoney certainly was not a hindrance, with only one race sitting on the standard $7,000.
The other purses were $10,000, $8,000 and a pair at $7,500.
The above average money levels on offer at Roma last week was a strong counter attraction.
An interesting booking is Paul Hamblin for Canid, the member of Glenn Richardson’s team that is more than overdue for a victory.
The former Darling Downs jockey, best known as a jumps rider in Melbourne and Adelaide, kicked off on the Downs.
I wonder if Hamblin has put Canid over a little hurdle or two in preparation for his BM 45 assignment with 63 kilograms? It is an old method employed to switch on disappointments.
Paul’s most recent race riding was at Coleraine in late September.
In Hurdles over 3300 metres, he won on Monte Carlo and finished second on Tough Vintage.
The 1170 metres around Gympie will be culturally quite different.