(Photo: Ross Stanley)
July 28, 2017
Jockey Gemma Steele certainly played her part in putting Wondai on the map last weekend.
Having saluted at Gympie last Saturday on Liverpool Jane for trainer Lindsay Anderson, she teamed up with Tony Williams to land the money at Caloundra with National Jewel ($26) the very next day.
The Court of Jewels (NZ) mare had run second at the same course at $151 for Hannah English in April before a narrow loss at Gayndah in June.
The bay’s lead-up outing as a $61 outsider at the Sunshine Coast early this month produced an encouraging fifth placing, particularly considering she was disappointed for a run 500 metres out and had to be steadied.
Steele booted home a treble at Gympie with Coonowrin Ruby and Joyfily also registering wins.
The latter gave fledgling Wondai trainer Stewart Barr his first victory as a licensee.
In short, three conditioners who use the Wondai circuit had all triumphed during the two days.
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Gemma, who kicked off as an apprentice with Robert McMaster at Cunnamulla, is in fine form.
On July 20, Star Hero scored for her at Rockhampton while Sunday’s haul also included a near miss on Liverpool Jane’s stablemate Clouds, the grey that was beaten a nose in Class 4 company over 1400m.
Although Liverpool Jane is yet to miss a place over the metric half mile, she steps up to 1200 metres for the first time at Roma in the $10,000 Class 6 Plate on Saturday.
The Captain Gerrard mare is owned by Peter Crowe, the horseman who handled Century during his chapter in the breeding barn, and his wife Toni.
The trek from the Burnett to Roma will not bother Gemma: to open her account on Apache Gulf in February 2013, the 18 year-old travelled from Cunnamulla to Gladstone!
She confirmed her talents early on.
At the end of the 2013-14 season, she was based at Blackall and had earned the Queensland Country Premierships for Apprentice and Jockey.
The feature $30,000 Roads to Roma Open Final is numerically disappointing.
Although such a purse should draw a capacity field, the eight final acceptors include just two of the six qualifying heat winners.
The TAB meeting is also the third of three winter programs that have been covered by Roma Turf Club’s bonus offerings for the leading point scoring trainer ($10,000), jockey ($5,000) and horse ($5,000) at Bassett Park during June and July.
Saturday’s six race card drew 49 acceptors.
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Richardson’s New Chum Strikes First Up
Glenn Richardson and his apprentice Hannah English took out the $20,000 Class 3 (1000m) with Prime Target ($7.50) at Ipswich on Wednesday.
The program was a city standard midweek so, statistically speaking, it is the Nanango apprentice’s first metropolitan grade victory.
Her dedication, skills and three kilogram claim hopefully will see more Brisbane opportunities come her way.
Hannah is presently focussing on weekend provincial meetings and that strategy will help her showcase her style.
Prime Target is now raced by Peter Jackson and his family, sponsors of the upcoming Fitzroy Hotel Nanango Cup.
Anthony Cummings put the polish on the sparingly raced Oratorio six-year-old when he chalked up back to back victories at Canterbury at his two most recent appearances.
Richardson, who has done a sterling job to tune up the ex-Sydney galloper after its five months break, has tied with Darryl Gardiner for the South-East Country Racing Association premiership that officially ends on Monday.
The contest will be decided by a countback.
Hannah English has clinched the Apprentices’ division.
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Birthday And Rebirth Wishes
Australian thoroughbreds are among the breeds whose official birthday falls on August 1 each year.
Whilst there is understandable excitement at the youthful end of the scale, it is less promising for those in the veteran phase of equine life.
However, a recent announcement by Racing NSW will gladden southern hearts.
The well heeled organisation that is patently flush with funds has bought a 2,600 acre property at Capertee near Lithgow.
It will be used for the rehabilitation, retraining and rehoming of thoroughbreds after their racing careers, as well as providing lodgings for former champions.
The establishment includes state of the art equestrian facilities for the re-training of retired racehorses that will then head for new homes to participate in sports, pony club, polo and simple domestic pleasure pursuits.
“This is a major investment, not only for the rehabilitation of racehorses which is a paramount objective of the board, but also as an investment for the future as a land bank that could have a multitude of uses for the NSW Thoroughbred Racing Industry in the future,” Racing NSW Chairman Russell Balding said.
The 1890’s built nine bedroom farmhouse will be converted to a Bed and Breakfast, and there are also ten authentic shearers huts on the property for a unique accommodation experience.
Eco-tourism activities such as trout fishing, four wheel driving, organic pick-your-own cooking and trail riding will be established at the property as part of the farmstay experience.
In October 2015, Racing NSW established the Equine Welfare Fund. It is financed by 1 per cent slice of all its prizemoney and has accrued $2 million per annum thus far.
The aim is to ensure that all New South Wales based thoroughbreds will be appropriately cared for during their post-track life.
Racing NSW has established a dedicated Equine Welfare team, including an Equine Welfare Veterinarian, exclusively for the rehoming of ex-racehorses.
Meanwhile, happy birthday to all our equine mates on Tuesday.
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Bits And Bridles
- Best wishes go to Gary Geran as he resumes his riding career at Goondiwindi on Saturday. He was injured in a multiple fall at Kilcoy on December 2016.
- Great to see Scott Pedron’s name reappear in the training ranks. Fort Myer, a Toowoomba starter last Saturday, was his first runner since Endless Tower at Eidsvold on June 2013. His most recent winner was Blackgold at Nanango in January 2013.
- Hannah Phillips is scheduled to wear Bradley Hudson’s pink and blue livery six times at the back to back Gatton and Beaudesert fixtures. For good measure, she will also partner Stick With Me for her father Barry at the Lockyer Valley venue.
