April 18, 2019
Nanango horse trainer Glenn Richardson will have runners at Lee Park and Gladstone on Easter Saturday for a very good reason.
With the northern venue hosting the first of 16 Qualifiers in the lucrative Battle of the Bush Series, Lee Park’s premier trainer has targetted the feature, the Open Plate over 1194 metres, with Bel Seleva and Canid.
The Amateur and Senko Sidra are down to battle for the side in the supporting events.
Bel Seleva, already a winner at Gladstone, faces the challenge of making it a grand seven victories on the trot.
The round at Bundaberg on May 4 is an ideal back-up chance should one be needed.
Meanwhile Canid, a qualifier for the 2018 grand final, is second reserve this time.
The veteran, with $106,000 in the bank, has a higher Handicap Rating and earnings than Jomar’s Element and Wicked Express.
The gallant bay, well suited by the step up in distance, failed to make the top 12 in the race because positions are decided on the basis of average career prizemoney per start.
Richardson also has a quartet competing at Nanango.
Kenji Yoshida will partner Demesne in the Country Design and Print BM 55 (800m) and Wild Britt in the Xtreme 4X4Sport Class B (1200m).
In the Pursers Buses QTIS Maiden Plate, Stephanie Lacy will pilot Siouxsie while stablemate Succinite will be handled by Hannah English, the leading hoop who will ride Brilliant Mistake, Brutus and Macchu Picchu for other yards.
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The Push For The Premierships
With two Lee Park meetings remaining in the season, Richardson – with a 5-1-2 scorecard – has a handy buffer in his quest for another award.
Gympie’s Cherie Wick, with two winners on the board, has Red Panther and Lil Ruby Rose as her weekend hopefuls in her chase for the title.
English, courtesy of a treble at the February fixture, sits on 6-0-4 in the jockeys’ division.
Another local in Hannah Phillips is closest to the reigning champion with three wins and five second placings.
Saturday is certainly crunch time for this contest.
The Nanango Race Club has reason to be pleased about the fact that its tally of 55 acceptors for its popular program far exceeds the numbers received by the other seven non-TAB fixtures on Saturday.
The track and surrounds are green enough to make every Irish eye smile.
Patrons are in for an extremely pleasant afternoon at Lee Park.
A Mothers’ Day shopping item will be on sale too.
If your Mum, grandmother or great-grandmother has a passion for history, the ideal gift could be a copy of Elizabeth De Lacy’s new book “Racing In The Brisbane River Valley – 1850 to 1940”.
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Wondai Update
When nominations closed on Wednesday for South Burnett Race Club’s Anzac Day card, there were 50 entries in the box.
The tally is pleasing given the prevailing busy racing period.
Final acceptances are due next Tuesday morning.
A Nanango review and a Wondai preview glimpse will be posted for your Wednesday reading.
In the meantime, good luck on Easter Saturday!
I hope you find winners and friendly faces at the Lee Park track.
