February 24, 2019
Racing’s see-saw was in play on Saturday.
Seven days ago Hannah Phillips, after a winless day at Nanango, was left to lament the evaporation of her premiership lead.
But Hannah English, who landed a treble at that Lee Park meeting, felt her own downswing at Mackay on the weekend.
Phillips trekked to Goondiwindi for an unplaced outcome on the Bradley Hudson trained She’s Got Magic ($11) on Saturday.
The South Burnett apprentice then took a magic carpet ride back to Clifford Park to partner Jack of Spades ($21) and Gets Smokin’ ($26) for local mentor Matt Boland and Princely Sum ($10) for Ipswich conditioner Brian Costello.
Gets Smokin’, the fifth placegetter in the Ken Mills Toyota Plate at Nanango, scored easily in maiden company after jumping from the extreme outside.
Hannah did well at barrier rise as the gelding by Strada is prone to slow getaways.
She gave Princely Sum every chance when it beat all bar the defiant leader Bernie’s Tiger in the Ratings 0-62 Handicap over the metric mile.
Jack of Spades finished seventh in the Class 1 sprint.
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Mission Missed The Mark
Nanango’s leading trainer Glenn Richardson legged up English on four hopefuls at Mackay.
The two-year-old Arnwood ($1.85), after quickly taking up his usual pacemaking role in The Gallery Bar QTIS Jewel Qualifier (1050 m), narrowly conceded to his stalker Class of Royalty in the final fifty yards.
Stewards reported that “Arnwood commenced to lay out leaving the 600 metres and continued to do so when placed under pressure in the home straight, shifting wider on the track”.
Arnwood earned $5,600, but it was worth having a crack at picking up the first prize of $19,000.
Canid, yet again from a wide marble, was given no peace in the BM 69 event (1200m).
The old boy had to work a little to lead and at the half way mark was pressured by a challenger.
He showed his trademark fight before wilting over the final part.
The $21 chance was looking for a second straight victory, having held off his fast finishing stablemate Stella’s Dream at Nanango at his previous outing.
Black Envy ($31) and The Amateur ($10) both proved disappointing.
In the other division of the BM 69, Hannah did well to complete the course on the local galloper Sweet Surprise ($4.20).
Stewards noted that its hind legs slipped from underneath on jumping, causing it to blunder badly.
Hannah lost the use of her offside iron for a short distance before regaining it.
As a result of this incident, Sweet Surprise lost considerable ground.
Meanwhile, the Scott Pedron prepared Fort Myer (Maurice Crawford, $5.50) collected the runner-up cheque at Clifford Park at Class 5 level over 1640 metres.
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Calendar Reminders
Nanango Race Club and the South Burnett Race Club both have major meetings on the horizon.
The perennially popular Easter Saturday fixture at Lee Park is scheduled for April 20.
Shortly afterwards, Wondai will host its traditional Anzac Day program on April 25.
These both promise to be great days out for racegoers.
After a gap of about seven weeks between local meetings, they should also be very welcome indeed.
