October 27, 2018
by Ross Stanley
The deeds of the players involved in Cloud’s victory in last Saturday’s Roy and Glenis Radunz Wondai Cup (1465m) are noteworthy.
Hannah English rode the grey pacesetter with clear precision.
Despite having opponents Still The Same and Patche Gift parked beside her for much of the circuit, she rated her mount perfectly.
Clouds, to his credit, took it in his stride and didn’t fire up.
He hadn’t raced since late July and some gallopers can be keen when fresh.
In the uphill run home, the Bradbury’s Luck gelding responded resolutely to repel the challenge of Cooee March, the Griffith tourist saddled up by owner-trainer Russell Hogan and handled by Robert Faehr.
Clouds’ Trainer Lindsay Anderson did a sterling job in preparing the seven-year-old for the first-up tilt.
The four appearances by Clouds at Wondai have all been over the Cup distance.
He has now chalked up three wins and a second on his home course.
Anderson’s labours were also rewarded by Solgaze’s success in the G. Crumpton & Sons Class B Handicap (850m).
An inspired change to the Statue of Liberty (USA) mare’s training regime meant many a long stint in the trackwork saddle for the Hivesville horseman, and the usual fast gallops employed for sprinters were replaced by longer, steady pacework.
The tactic paid off and the Thangool Maiden winner gave comeback jockey Shannon Apthorpe his first post-suspension triumph.
The Downs hoop made it a double when he booted home Elusive Element in the Kingaroy RSL Class B Handicap (1465m) for Caloundra trainer Trevor Thomas.
* * *
The Race With Triple Firsts
The Harley’s Heavy Diesel Maiden Plate provided three parties with personal firsts.
Classic Beau, at just his second try, found his way to the winner’s circle.
His trainer Matt Boland experienced his first taste of success and the Tycoon Ruler three-year-old was the first horse bred by part owner Lyn Coleman to salute.
Boland, 33, having established himself as a breaker and pre-trainer at Haden near Crows Nest, responded to the encouragement of clients to take the next step up in the thoroughbred industry.
He has the distinction of having been the early educator of all 19 horses currently on his books.
Eleven of those are in work and are based at his Toowoomba stable that includes day yards.
The Haden property, presently with eight on its roll call, gives Boland’s string a variety of environments.
Obviously, one advantage the newcomer has is the length of his association with the individual horses.
Classic Beau and his stablemate Flaming Lamborgini have assignments at Kumbia on Melbourne Cup day.
The co-owner along with Coleman is the former trainer Stephen Neylon – the duo run the Gowrie Hotel and have had a long involvement in racing.
“Classic Beau used to prance about a bit and so we wanted to name him Mr Bojangles, but it was taken,” Neylon said.
* * *
Females To The Fore
Fittingly, in the Monica Ryan Trophy QTIS Class 2 Plate, six of the eight riders plus the winning galloper and her owner were of the fairer sex.
Echoingly, resuming after an eleven month absence, scored easily for Cecily Eaton with Paradiski (Maurice Crawford) and Schindler (Hannah English) filling the placings.
The daughter of Drumbeats suffered knee chips late last year, and a sterling job by Toowoomba trainer Stephen Kirkwood to ready the five-year-old for the tough task was rewarded with a QTIS bonus.
Kirkwood’s wife Catherine races the brown mare that was bred by her father Ron Macrae.
Meanwhile, it was great to see Monica’s friend Marita Babb in attendance.
Back in 1996, she finished fourth as a claiming apprentice on Full Suit at Doomben on the day Chief De Beers took out the Foster’s (now BRC Kingsford-Smith) Cup.
Coincidentally, Freeze de Beers, a close relative of The Chief, competed in the G.Crumpton & Sons Class B Handicap.
* * *
Kumbia Kicks On
There will be many patrons at Kumbia’s Melbourne Cup day program harbouring a special purpose in their hearts this year.
It will be the community spirit that stirs people to stand up to adversity and move strongly forward.
The area’s fate dealt by the violent storm or “hail-nado” on October 11 has been well documented and appreciated.
The Kumbia Race Club hopes that its Huston Motors Kumbia Cup meeting will be one of celebration as the district recovers.
It has extended its best wishes to the many farmers, businesses and residents in the community who were impacted by the savage storm.
It is also time to rejoice that the episode was fatality free.
The racecourse did have significant breakages to a number of glass panels, as well as damage to carpets in the bar area and to the roof of the horse stalls.
Repairs will be completed before November 6.
Furthermore, the Club recently received finance from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund to waterproof and seal areas of the grandstand building, which will cost about $25,000.
The run-down:
- All enquiries should be directed to to Wendy Mathews, K.R.C. Secretary, on 0417-717-330 or (07) 4163-7200
- Admission still only $10 ($5 for concession holders)
- A raceday bus will be running from the Carrollee Hotel at Kingaroy (bookings with the Carrollee on (07) 4162-1055)
- Laws prevent alcohol being brought to the track. As well as the general bar, a Wine & Cheese Bar is available, and you can make table bookings online
- The Fashions Of The Field categories are Best Dressed Classical Lady, Uniquely Styled Lady and Best Dressed Gentleman
- Fun will also be provided by a jumping castle (which can be used by adults and children)
- There will be a Calcutta at the Kumbia Hotel on Sunday, November 4 from 2:00pm
There will be more about this year’s Kumbia Melbourne Cup race day in next week’s Gunsynd’s Gossip.
