June 30, 2018
After tussles at 16 fronts around the state, the ultimate clash of the best of the equine warriors at Doomben last Saturday was a tooth and nail affair.
The $100,000 Battle Of The Bush grand final saw a mere length and three-quarters cover the first eight to finish.
The last of the large column of troops was about nine lengths from the victor.
A raft of strategies ensured that the bush ethos was sustained, except for the eligibility of the riders.
The inaugural field of horsemen included some Group One standard hoops.
It would be a gross disappointment if future renewals of the event deploys more and more city jockeys and fewer country pilots.
A requirement that participating jockeys have fulfilled at least five non-TAB engagements in the previous twelve months seems to be a fair criteria.
On that count, and with due respect to Jim Byrne, many onlookers were pleased that Justin Stanley grabbed a narrow edge over the metropolitan premiership winning rider in the final drive to the post.
Here are some more “mentions in despatches” regarding the exciting venture:
- The logbook of the winner Mason’s Chance reflected the travel that the campaigners undertook. The Mackay galloper trekked to Barcaldine to qualify.
- Although the Nanango contenders Klammer ( $21) and Canid ($101) were unplaced, their barrier draws of 12 and 15 respectively were massive obstacles, particularly when the first four jumped from gates two, four, one and three. The form of the Nanango heat taken out by Canid was franked. Go Get Sum (Nathan Evans), the third placegetter at Lee Park, also collected the minor money behind Mason’s Chance and the Ilfracombe representative Bush Caviar at Doomben.
- The main trophy was creatively novel. There was a toughness about its theme. With hindsight, the timber element could have been much darker in colour. A link to the saying “beyond the black stump” could be catchy.
- Connections that made it to Brisbane were delighted with the hospitality extended to them. The co-ordinated organisation and promotion was certainly above average. Given that the series was only announced in late January, the 2019 version will have a full year’s lead-up. It is reasonable to assume that there will be some sort of stimulus to the purchasing of prospective types.
(Photo: Ross Stanley)
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Gympie A Springboard For Wondai
The staging of the successful Gympie meeting a fortnight before Wondai’s July 7 fixture is timely.
The spacing between the two sand track programs hopefully will help produce another excellent line-up at the Wondai Showground circuit for its Winter Wonderland race day.
Lindsay Anderson’s trio of Lomi, Liverpool Jane and Clouds all picked up a pay cheque.
Other South Burnett stables that started string members at the Southside course were Tom Moloney with Churchill Dawn, Neville O’Toole (Scarlet’s Choice) and Kaylene Hamilton (Monte Lago).
Wondai’s Winter race meeting is also usually graced by fine, sunny weather, so it’s a very pleasant day out.
It’s also the last South Burnett meeting of the racing year – Lee Park’s Nanango Cup race meeting on August 4 is the new racing year’s local opener.
I’ll have a more comprehensive overview of Wondai’s July 7 meeting later this coming week once acceptances have come in and the fields are drawn up.
[UPDATED]
