January 21, 2017
The South East Country District racing agenda for this year kicks off at Kilcoy on Thursday.
South Burnett-related nominations for the Australia Day fixture include the James Curtain trained Amber Ale, Star of Bethlehem from “Shorty” O’Toole’s Wondai yard and Monte Lago, the Encosta de Lago gelding prepared at Nanango by Kaylene Hamilton.
The program’s side attractions include three contests for the mini-trotters.
There will also be gender-specific Lightning Dash foot races over 60 metres for Under 15s and Open ages, and the fashion judging of Australia Day outfits.
If you fancy a day at the races on this up-coming public holiday, Kilcoy could be a very good day out.
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The Rural Option
Attendance at bush race days certainly falls into the affordable category when compared with a sortie to the top tier extravaganzas such as the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast.
General admission to the course last Saturday was $35 with pensioners and children 13 to 17 entering for $17.50.
The small public grandstand is open top in full sun.
Thankfully, standing room and some early-bird seating is still available in the pick spot opposite the winning post.
Among the suite of suites on offer was the seemingly medium-priced Quarter Mile Marquee.
A package to this open-air facility (with misting fans) that was located at the 400 metre mark cost $625 per head and included betting services, selected beverages and an all-day grazing menu.
The venue was so far from the epicentre that patrons could save for their 2017 Christmas budget by staying at home, taking in the free television coverage and still hire their own exotic caterers and wait-staff.
Tracks on the country circuits are so much more user friendly with parade ring, amenities, fashion judging and track action all handily placed in the same postcode.
Are racegoers paying a premium to see the elite athletes of the thoroughbred world?
The answer, in general, rests firmly in the negative.
The race conditions are restrictive and so the pool of aspirants is capped. Irish Constabulary, beaten at Warwick on Boxing Day, collected $150,000 for winning the second on the card.
(Note: I have not been soured by a forgettable MM experience last weekend. I was there in a working capacity but did fear that my hat might not be “eligible” for an appearance in the enclosure. Luckily the regular gateman, who had both his feet firmly on the ground, was able to point to a little poster and indicate it was one of the 12 designated, allowable styles for males).
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Reckless At The Least
Josh Cartwright will appear at an adjourned inquiry Stewards’ Inquiry on February 13.
The South Australian jockey has pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless riding following his utterly bizarre performance at Morphettville recently.
Cartwright has been barred from all riding tasks and will have legal representation during the penalty assessment hearing.
Rival jockey Jason Holder was fortunate to stay in the pigskin when Cartwright’s unprecedented, sharp, right hand deviation involved his mount.
A debatable core issue concerns the charge itself.
In Australia, AR 137(a) provides that a rider may be penalised if, in the opinion of the Stewards, he is guilty of careless, reckless, improper, incompetent or foul riding.
There are references that claim that “improper riding has the element of deliberate or intentional conduct that, in all the circumstances, is found to be contrary to how a horse ought to have been ridden by a competent jockey and which had the possible consequences of creating danger for others (rider or horse); and/or prejudicing the chances of other horses in the race.”
Footage of the incident has attracted national and international interest.
Comment about possible motives for Cartwright’s stunning manoeuvre is best left until after the inquiry has been completed and the penalty announced.
The pressure is on the stipes to get the crime and punishment accurately sorted out.
