October 7, 2018
November 28, 2014
by Ross Stanley
Sunshine Coast jockey Jason Hoopert – whose career kicked off in Wondai – has a clearance to return to the saddle
He came down from the Barry Gill-trained Magestical Maiden at Gympie on July 21.
At the time, he was just two short of 500 lifetime wins. Amazingly, 123 of those victories have been chalked up after he was told he would never ride again.
Jason was in a coma for more than a week after a life-threatening fall at Kilcoy in July 2006.
He was utterly resolute in his rehabilitation phase and defied the long odds with a comeback in 2011.
The reigning South East Country Racing Association champion’s next target is to build up race fitness following an absence of nearly three months.
It would be great if he lands a double on his first day back in silk.
* * *
Monica Ryan’s Slice Of History
Entries for next Saturday’s South Burnett Race Club’s meeting are due on Tuesday morning.
These days, the details of nominations, weights, acceptances and form are progressively published at Racingaustralia.horse
The site covers all the nation’s programs and provides an invaluable variety of information.
The $8000 Roy and Glenis Radunz Wondai Cup (1465m) should attract an above-average field because it is the third of eight legs of the Burnett to Beach Series that boasts a total of $10,000 in bonuses.
The QTIS Class 2 Plate (1100m), with its variety of added money for eligible horses, has an extra feature in the form of the Monica Ryan Perpetual Trophy.
This initiative commemorates the famous day on March 24, 1990, when female jockeys booted home all seven winners.
Monica, with four successes, spearheaded the unique feat.
Joanne Downes, Jenny Cochrane and Debbie Osborne, who was one of Vo Rogue’s strappers, chipped in with one each.
Ryan’s nursery period as a jockey started at Wondai.
Her father Peter is a very long-term South Burnett Race Club stalwart and an ornament to the industry.
* * *
A Tip For Visitors
Racegoers heading to the Wondai course have an opportunity to check out the Wondai Regional Art Gallery on the roundabout at 40 Haly Street.
The multi-roomed gallery, which is open from 10:00am to 4:00pm daily is a personal favourite of mine.
It caters for all ages and presents a variety of media.
It is especially interesting in October because the whole gallery is filled with entries for the South Burnett Regional Council’s Open Art Competition.
The winners of the event, which carries at total of $8000 in prize money, were announced on October 5.
A visit presents you with your first winner of the day !
