September 14, 2018
by Ross Stanley
The pair of winners that Glenn Richardson saddled up and Hannah English partnered at last weekend’s Nanango Race Club meeting have interesting links with the past.
Firstly, Shane Apps and David Apps, the son and the nephew of the former highly successful Burnett rider and trainer Darryl Apps, are in the ownership of Freeze De Beers.
The lightly raced son of the Hula Chief mare Rasheetah decisively accounted for its rivals in the Star Tyre Power Kingaroy Maiden Plate (800m).
Dalby trainer David Reynolds suggested the name for the galloper whose bill paying syndicate also includes Barry and Andrew Green and Rick Kirkness.
The gelding’s sire is Freeze and Rasheetah, a Ballina Maiden winner, is a full sister to the much acclaimed 1990’s sprinter Chief De Beers.
The Chief, who turned the Doomben winning post into his own totem pole, won a dozen black type races including two Doomben 10,000s at the Garden Racecourse.
Given the speed in his pedigree, Freeze De Beers was purchased at a Magic Millions sale with early season targets for juveniles in mind.
“He had a series of setbacks,” Andrew Green said.
“He hurt his back and bouts of shin soreness meant that he didn’t get a chance to start as a two-year-old.”
The second case on the card involved Our Rock O’Reilly.
Cedric Duff, who races the grandson of O’Reilly (NZ) with Peter Jackson and Richardson, provided the rare livery that the bay by Murtajill sported when he bolted away with the Huston Nissan BM 55 Handicap (1200m).
The set of tangerine, white striped sleeves and black cap originally belonged to Alan and Marj Dandy, principals of a horse stud at York.
The English couple had horses with Duff at Bowenville in the 1970s and when they returned to Britain, they gifted the colours that have appeared at Royal Ascot to Cedric.
* * *
Have Saddle, Will Travel
Even though Paul Hamblin’s professional logbook has recorded some astonishing journeys, his mileage in recent times beggars belief.
He went to Nanango for one engagement where – fortunately – he secured a saloon passage along the rail to score on Hi Harry in the Three-Way Photos BM 65 Handicap (800m).
The very next day he was aboard Aldos when the $7 chance prevailed in a $30,000 Steeplechase (3800m) at Casterton, a Victorian course that is more than 350 kilometres west of Melbourne.
On August 11, the former Darling Downs lad booted Rubme (70 kilograms) home rode in a Highweight at Moe.
He then competed at Murray Bridge (SA), Gympie, Ballarat and Warrnambool before piloting Hunter Island to victory at Emerald on the first day of this month.
* * *
Oh, So Close …
It was hard not to sympathise with David Reynolds when his charge Music Scene (Beau Appo) went down to Hi Harry by a mere short half head in the Three-Way Photos BM 65 Handicap.
It was the Kaphero gelding’s 17th runner-up finish in 57 starts and its sixth second placing in its past ten runs.
On the face of it, Hi Harry would probably not have won without the clear space he enjoyed at the vital time in the straight.
* * *
Bits And Bridles
- Hannah Phillips, with a success on Ask Ruby in the Nanango Caravan Service & Repairs Class B (1000m), has three wins on the board for the 2018-19 Lee Park Jockeys’ Premiership. Defending champion Hannah English is one adrift with two on the scoreboard after the second of six meetings.
- Nanango’s next program is its Burnett To Beach Series race day on Sunday, December 2. This date is ideal for Christmas gatherings, particularly for those who cannot attend fixtures on a Saturday. The Spot Fashion Theme is Christmas Red and Green with a touch of Silver and/or Gold.
- Burnett To Beach Series heats will also be staged at Wondai (October 20, Wondai and Caulfield Cup Day), Kumbia (November 6, Kumbia and Melbourne Cup Day) and Gympie (November 24, 150 Years of Racing Gold Cup Day).
- Country Cups Challenge Series legs are also associated with the Kumbia Cup and the Gympie Cup (October 27, Cox Plate Day).
