(Photo: Ross Stanley)
June 3, 2019
Although Darling Downs hoop Shannon Apthorpe booted home Speedy and Classic Beau to open Nanango’s bumper autumn program last month, the females were soon to the fore.
Local mare Machu Picchu, perfectly parked just behind the leaders by Hannah Phillips, held off the challenge by Tycoon Zip (Anna Bakos) to pick up her second Battle of the Bush Qualifier.
The runner-up, with a Handicap Rating of 74, seems assured of slot among the 16 core finalists.
After prevailing at Adaminaby in November 2016, the former Moruya based mare’s next appearance was her first outing for Brian Laherty at Nanango’s May fixture two years ago.
She was unplaced on that occasion but has now won all three subsequent Lee Park assignments.
Interestingly Machu Picchu’s winning partners have been Hannah English (three times), Carly Frater-Hill (twice), Billie-Rose Andrew, Cecily Eaton and Hannah Phillips.
Anna Bakos, indentured to Michael Lakey at Deagon, chalked up her first riding double on her fourth day in the pigskin.
Dulcie Tie, having lost by a nose at Burrandowan, got in by a short head in the Heritage Bank Nanango Class B (1200m).
The filly, prepared at Deagon by John Phelan, then had to survive a protest lodged by the connections of the runner-up Brutus.
It was more clear cut for the four kilogram claimer with Choppa posting a four length margin in the Nanango Vet Surgery BM 60 (1600m).
Bakos has a dual code background.
Her family put pacers through their paces at their Fernvale property. She is very experienced with standard breds but has always had her sights set on being aboard thoroughbreds.
Anna’s 17 mounts to date have chalked up three wins and three placings.
She has a full book at Tambo for Bevan Johnson on Saturday.
The Miles horseman provided her with the vital maiden success on Yeezy at Charleville on her first day in the outdoor office on May 4.
Bakos is a distant relative of Peter Bakos, the popular, dynamic ultra-lightweight Victorian jockey who took up whip-making and public speaking after he packed away his riding gear.
He finished last of 29 in the 1958 Melbourne Cup on Neves, a 500/1 pop that carried a mere 6.11 (43kg).
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Leeanne McCoy was the epitome of dedication and professionalism last weekend.
On Friday she rode at Cunnamulla. Although she saluted there on Linked, the dirt surface did not suit Music Scene.
The Kaphero gelding, prepared by her husband David Reynolds, earned the minor money in the Battle of the Bush heat.
The team arrived back at Dalby late that night.
She sought a replacement for the first on the Nanango program as a precaution but journeyed from the Downs to handle the fourth placed Inkulu in the last on the card.
By the way, ladies landed three quinellas and three four-legged females won.
The male trainers did saddle up all five winners.
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Another Theatre Of War
The penultimate round of the Battle of the Bush lead up events includes an offering on the Goondiwindi’s grass on Saturday.
Under the set-weight Plate conditions, Fab’s Cowboy, with a rating of 87.5, meets the four hopefuls rated from 73 to 79 on the same 60.5 kilogram mark on attractive terms.
Rivals of Bevan Johnson’s money spinner will be heartened by the fact that the galloper that has already been successful in the series at Gladstone and Cunnamulla is widely drawn.
Should the Greenwood Lake (USA) gelding register his 31st victory, attention will turn to the handicap rating of the runner-up.
Five performers from the Nanango meeting, namely Baker Boy (Shannon Apthorpe), Go Get Sum (Rebecca Goldsbury), Canid (Brooke Mackie), Choppa (Sally Sweeney) and Daytime Dancer (Noriyuki Nishi) are having a go at the Goondiwindi leg. Also fronting up are the Reynolds duo Music Scene (Leeanne McCoy) and Tapestry Vision (Sophie Wilcox).
Barcaldine, on June 8, hosts the last opportunity for aspirants to cement a place in the $125,000 Final at Eagle Farm on 22 June.
Hopefully, a contingent from Nanango will get behind Machu Picchu and be trackside to support the bay for the Grand Final on Tatt’s Tiara Day.
