September 30, 2019
Nanango jockey Hannah Phillips was presented with the inaugural Student Of The Year award at Racing Queensland’s Thoroughbred Awards function in Brisbane last weekend.
“I wasn’t expecting it at all. Hannah (English) and Jed (Hodge), who were the other finalists, both worked just as hard,” Hannah said.
The success capped off an eventful weekend.
“The day before, my car broke down on the way to Gympie,” she said.
“Bob Hand, the trainer of Lighthorse, was good enough to turn around and come back and rescue me, and the stewards held the meeting up so I was able to fulfil my engagement in the first.
“Then in the third race I got dumped off Windquest when she badly blundered coming out of the gates.
“It was the first time I’ve had a fall in a race and I’m grateful to only come out with some bruises.”
The creation of this new prize category is a welcome a initiative as it acknowledges the scope of the training and commitment involved in contemporary apprenticeships.
Meanwhile, the South East Country Racing Association chairman Lyle Murray attended Bundaberg Race Club’s September 7 meeting to hand out the SECRA Premiership trophies.
The leading trainer for the 2018-19 season was Glenn Richardson with 16 wins, while Hannah English (14 wins) was the recipient of the Desiree Gill Memorial Apprentice award.
Gympie picked up the other honours.
Robert Faehr was the top jockey with 16 wins.
Lil Ruby Rose, the mare with seven district victories, was deservedly named SECRA Horse of the Year.
The association is comprised of the non-TAB clubs at Bundaberg, Burrandowan, Eidsvold, Esk, Gayndah, Gympie, Kumbia, Mount Perry, Monto, Nanango and Wondai.
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Visit Gets The Thumbs Up
Author Ken Linnett didn’t back a winner at Nanango races on September 21 but came away a convert to Queensland country racing.
Linnett climbed the stairs more than once to share the view with the race caller and judges.
But mostly he stayed at ground level, roaming the betting ring, watching the horses, trainers, stewards and jockeys in the mounting yard and enjoying the hospitality.
“It was like being part of a family,” Kern said.
“Although well-organised, it was so friendly and free of pretension. By the time of the fifth race, the faces seemed familiar and I wanted them all to succeed.”
Linnett’s most successful book, “Tulloch: The Extraordinary Life and Times of a True Champion”, won the $3000 Whittaker Award last year for the best book published on horse racing in Australia and New Zealand in the previous two years.
His next book – about the 1990s champion Rough Habit, possibly the most popular New Zealand horse to race in Queensland – will be launched in Brisbane in May 2020.
A former teacher, manual worker, journalist, editor and English coach, Linnett – who has recently moved from Melbourne to Brisbane – has been interested in racing since his father put him in a sweep for the 1950 Melbourne Cup.
Will he return to Nanango or other country courses?
“Well, you won’t have to twist my arm,” he said.
PS: Racing fans who’d like purchase a hard copy of “Tulloch” can obtain the book from the Slattery Media Group for $21.99.
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Twin Hills Supported
Hannah English and Hannah Phillips made up a third of Saturday’s riding ranks at the lucrative two-day annual fixture at Twin Hills.
Unfortunately, seven acceptors were withdrawn from the venue that is west of Mackay because of the jockey shortage.
On Friday, Phillips took out the $9500 Class B on the hot pot, Terminate.
English had to wait until the final two contests before she joined the winner’s list.
Punters went home happy as she landed the $12,000 Twin Hills Cup and the $9500 Benchmark 50 on the favourites Sensation Ally and Sound Investment.
The pair were saddled up by John Manzelmann, the Mackay trainer who provided 20 of the dual program’s 64 starters.
Stanley Watkin and Brooke Richardson rode at Twin Hills on the Friday and at the TAB program at Longreach the next day.
The Capricornian-based apprentice Emma Bell preferred to concentrate on Longreach.
She was very successful at Twin Hills in 2017.
Last year’s renewal was called off because the prolonged drought had made the black soil course unraceable.
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Remember: Wondai Cup Day Is October 19
The South Burnett Race Club’s time-honoured slot that coincides with Caulfield Cup day is looming.
Now is the time to line up reserved seating in a Trackside Marquee at just $50 per table of 10 with the standard cost of entry of $10 per person also applicable.
Grazing platters with nibbles for 5-6 people are also available for $25.
For more details and to arrange payment, contact Chris Nettelfield via Facebook message or by phone on 0499-873-269.
The Spring Florals fashion theme is sure to be popular.
The judging always creates a high level of interest.
