June 23, 2017
Two Brisbane carnival results and this Saturday’s final Group One of the season draw attention to theme of nurturing.
It is always gratifying to follow the progress of young riders who have spent time at rural racecourses, the arenas that could be called their nursery schools.
On Oaks day, James Orman, who opened his account at Nanango, claimed the Listed Bill Carter Stakes on Cellargirl while Tiffani Brooker, who has landed winners for the Glenn Richardson stable, saluted on Monsieur Gustave in last week’s Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich.
Those success stories are underpinned by the development opportunities bush racing gives to the industry’s novices.
At the other end of the scale comes the maternal aspect of Saturday’s $500,000 Tattersall’s Tiara for the fillies and mares at standard weight-for-age.
This contest is perfectly timed as it is the ideal last hurrah for those heading for the breeding barn.
Although it is a highly unlikely prospect, it is nice to dream that Winx’s grand finale could be in a future renewal of this popular event.
The Street Cry mare’s Group One career began in the 2015 Queensland Oaks, so it be marvellous if Queensland provided the book-ends.
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Priorities Amid Priorities
It will be interesting to see if any restrictions are placed on or by the Ipswich Turf Club concerning the music emanating from the infield zone on Cup day.
Racenet’s Ben Dorries reported that jockey Corey Brown said the loud “doof-doof” music in the Ipswich in-field was a nightmare for horses as they went to the barriers.
He was backed up by fellow Group I winning jockey Damian Browne who said the Ipswich track felt like it was vibrating from the deafening music.
Brown suggested that it was like a dance party – not a racetrack – and that the music was disturbing and annoying plenty of horses.
Most other race clubs do put the thoroughbred activities first with the “highly audible” entertainment kicking off for a period after the last has been run.
As well as the negative impact on the four-legged participants, patrons who are there for the racing aspect will think twice about returning to such venues.
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Why It Was So
For those who invested on the TAB program at Kilcoy last Saturday and wondered why the sixth event, the Golden Downs Brisbane Class 2 Handicap, was abandoned, the official stewards’ report is displayed verbatim below:
“Following the running of this race stewards inquired into the start after Dave’s Valor remained in the starting stalls and a barrier attendant was standing in the stall with the horse.
Evidence was taken from all riders and starter Russell Hanson who advised that he had not effected the start of this race and that he believed the barriers had somehow malfunctioned and opened prematurely.
A number of riders also indicated that they had been disadvantaged as a result.
Stewards acting under AR134 ruled that as Mr Hanson had not effected the start, a no-race was declared and that all monies invested on this event would be refunded.
Stewards also ruled that as the majority of the field had completed the course the race could therefore not be re-run.”
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Funding Distribution
Thoroughbred racing in Southeast Queensland is about to receive a Budget boost, with 15 clubs sharing in $697,000 worth of infrastructure grants.
Racing Minister Grace Grace announced the new funding on June 12, and said it would result in upgraded facilities and new infrastructure throughout the region.
The first phase of the program has to be completed within 18 months.
Ms Grace said each submission was assessed for its ability to improve racing operations, enhance industry returns and deliver better workplace health and safety and animal welfare outcomes.
The clubs who’ll be receiving funding in Southeast Queensland are:
- Beaudesert Race Club – $178,550 for barriers, jockey/steward facilities
- Bundaberg Race Club – $40,400 for horse welfare equipment, stables
- Burrandowan RC – $25,400 for horse welfare equipment, running rail, towers
- Eidsvold RC – $15,500 for running rail
- Esk Jockey Club – $5400 for horse welfare equipment, fencing
- Gayndah Jockey Club – $60,400 for horse welfare equipment, fencing, running rail, towers
- Gympie Turf Club – $38,011 for running rail
- Kilcoy Race Club – $114,900 for horse welfare equipment, lightning protection, water storage
- Kumbia Race Club – $26,000 for running rail, towers
- Lockyer Race Club (Gatton) – $48,642 for barriers, marquees/outdoor structures, tie-up stalls
- Monto Race Club – $106,666 for horse welfare equipment, tie-up stalls, towers
- Mt Perry Race Club – $400 for horse welfare equipment
- Nanango Race Club – $400 for horse welfare equipment
- South Burnett RC – $27,400 for horse welfare equipment, fencing, running rail, towers, place getter stalls
- Sunshine Coast TC – $9000 for lightning protection
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Bits And Bridles
- There will be many rural racing folk who will empathise with the Monto Race Club following its annual race day last weekend. Only 21 runners had left the barriers at the end of the five event card that was a replacement for the April washout. Last year’s meeting was a different story with 46 starters generating a highly satisfactory 9.2 average per race. On the other hand, Gympie officials have reason to be pleased with a total of 52 acceptances for their upcoming Saturday card.
- Glenn Richardson’s apprentice Hannah English was suspended for eight days at Toowoomba on June 16. Pat Duff’s rookie Bridget Rooney will partner Revelio and Klammer for the Nanango yard. The four kilogram claimer’s ten mounts to date have yielded victories at Goondiwindi and Warwick.
- Meanwhile Gemma Steele will be aboard Clouds and Glenthorn Avenue for Lindsay Anderson.
