January 28, 2017
There’s no local racing for a little while yet, so this Saturday will see South Burnett units heading up to Thangool and down to Warwick.
James Curtain and Hannah English trek north to team up with I Am McLovin, Sequoia Miss and Amber Ale.
At Warwick, Glenn Richardson will leg up Nozi Tomizawa on to Dream of Choice and Les Tilley on to Man of Law.
English was in great touch on Jason Noud’s charge Prospecting in the Exchange Hotel-Canadian Club Class B (1500m) at Kilcoy on Australia Day.
The duo, having jumped from a middle gate, were quickly in a vanguard spot outside the pacemaker.
The Nanango apprentice made her move approaching the home turn and the $2.70 favourite responded brilliantly, running away to post a four and a half length margin.
Deagon-based Noud puts the polish on the Rock of Cashel seven-year-old for his father Ron.
Conditioning of racehorses is a long-time kinship tradition. Ron and four of his uncles were trainers.
Meanwhile, it will be fantastic for Hannah Phillips to be back in action at Warwick.
She makes her comeback on the Darling Downs where her father Barry will saddle up the debutante Latchy’s Pride and Captain Clayton, the ten-year-old that last faced the starter a year ago when fourth at Dalby.
Phillips, a two kilogram claimer, has not donned silk since April 30 last year.
* * *
Like Father, Like Son
New trainer Wayne Stephens made it a running double for Deagon stables when Chic Sox, a flashy chestnut with four white feet, prevailed in the metric six furlong Maiden with Matthew Gray aboard.
The Written Tycoon gelding was having his fourth career run.
Stephens’ other representation was Luna Blu’s unplaced appearance at Caloundra in October,
In short, Stephens, whose mother Rona was also a trainer, has put his first run on the board at just his fifth attempt.
Chic Sox is raced by Wayne, his father Norm, his brother Gary and Dominique Lahiff, a popular and much appreciated track work rider at Deagon.
Wayne’s father is the former jockey and present day trainer “Whooper” Stephens.
He was a wisp of a wisp when he steered Balllyvista to clear-cut Stradbroke glory in 1948.
The Con Doyle trained sprinter, handicapped to carry 7.1 (45.5 kilograms), travelled superbly for the rookie.
Norm rode in all sorts of company. He excelled with young horses, picked up bread and butter affairs at Albion Park, won features on the likes of Todwana, Refulgent, Academy Star and Bright Shadow and landed Queensland Derby honours with Minto Crag.
He found a place in elite artistic circles in 1974 as the subject of Sam Fulbrook’s Archibald Prize winning portrait.
As a trainer, he collected the 1987 Silver Slipper at Rosehill with the talented juvenile Ballook.
Stephens, a character who adroitly tested the patience of a string of stewards, became a doyen of Deagon.
Although his 86th birthday comes along in March, “Whopper” has definitely not let go of the relay baton just yet.
Ringo’s A Rockstar, a cleverly named three-year-old by Drumbeats from Cradle Rock that he supervises, is currently belting out music for his ears.
The three-year-old, with an 8:4-3-0 performance line, has earnt around $215,000 with wins achieved at Doomben (twice), Caloundra and the Gold Coast. Norm and Dominique are among the owners of Snippetson’s grandson.
Both Chic Sox and Ringo’s A Rockstar sport the family’s busy bee livery of black with yellow hoops
Hoofnote: Help was one of the Beatles all-time top hits. No doubt there is a more than adequate supply of assistance and advice available from Norm for Wayne, whether he asks for it or not!
