October 9, 2019
It is exciting to report that Clouds is looking to make it back to back Roy and Glenis Radunz Wondai Cups on Saturday, October 19.
The eight-year-old prevailed at Gympie on September 21 in a $10,000 Benchmark 60 Handicap over 1170 metres.
The popular grey from Hivesville carried 64.5 kilograms after Louise Dillon’s claim reduced the impost from the 67.5 mark.
The Cup is an open handicap, so Clouds should have a lighter load to bear.
Lindsay Anderson’s charge has made 18 attempts on sand surfaces for a remarkable 8-4-2 outcome.
More specifically, his home track record stands at 7:4-2-0.
The gelding’s achievements over the 1465 metres journey of the Wondai Cup stand at 5:3-2-0
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Burnett’s Successful Burst
Local district racing connections are enjoying a fine spell.
Topping the list is Wondai’s Neville “Shorty” O’Toole and Hannah English.
The pairing combined to score at Dalby on September 26 with Scarlet’s Choice in a $17,000 BM 55 (1100m) for fillies and mares.
The same trio repeated the dose last Friday on a soft Caloundra surface in a $21,000 0-60 Rating Handicap (1000m).
O’Toole has saddled the Choisir mare up 13 times, and the team has only once missed a top four finish.
After relocating from Rod Northam’s Scone stable, Scarlet’s Choice – with Danehill on both sides of her pedigree – immediately accounted for her BM 55 rivals at Nanango in March 2018.
The chestnut obviously tries hard.
Apart from her three victories, she has registered five seconds, three thirds and a fourth placing.
It comes as no surprise that Scarlet’s Choice is the sprinting type.
Her grand-dam was Biscay’s daughter Scarlet Bisque.
Among the brilliant juvenile’s six feature wins are the 1990 MRC Oakleigh Plate and 1988 MVRC Moir Stakes.
Flying Spur sired Scarlet’s Choice’s dam Scarlet Spur.
Meanwhile, Glenn Ricardson’s Nanango yard picked up a two track double with Beauty Secrets (Hannah English) at Eidsvold and La Belle La Belle (Stephanie Lacy) at Tara.
Schindler has been helping to pay his bills.
The bay by Snitzel has earned place money on his past two assignments.
Interestingly, the gelding flew home for a last gasp victory at Wondai’s July meeting.
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Ride To The Cinema
The movie Ride Like A Girl is not just the province of racing followers – it’s really a fascinating mesh of human interest stories.
Purists who like to quibble will spot a few minor glitches.
It needs to be remembered that it is not a documentary but a look into the ups and downs of the Payne family in Victoria.
There is a delightful balance between high tension and subtle humour.
Prince of Penzance is not the only character in the true tale that had to overcome very long odds.
Take a tip: this movie is worth running your eye over, whether you’re a die-hard fan of the turf or not.
