February 24, 2020
Leading trainer Nanango Glenn Richardson has experienced the industry’s highs and lows lately.
On the Sunday before Nanango Race Club’s Valentine’s meeting, he suffered concerning head injuries when On A Comet became extremely distressed during what turned out to be a fatal colic attack.
The More Than Ready gelding from the Redoute’s Choice mare Starwish meant no harm, but Richardson’s impact with the ground was worrying.
The patched-up horseman attended the Nanango meeting and has made pleasing improvement since.
Although he had cause for headaches during the day – particularly because of the outcomes with Miss Carolee and Gallopinakis – there was positive stimulation courtesy of the successes recorded by Arnwood and Black Envy.
Stewards reported that before the last race, Gallopinakis “became fractious and bumped the barriers before dislodging its rider and then making contact with the outside fence before being recaptured. The gelding underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared fit to start.”
The son of the Melbourne Cup hero Americain (USA) “was slow to begin. He blundered for a number of strides near the 400 metres and broke down in the near shoulder and as a result had to be euthanased on humane grounds. Post-mortem samples were taken from the gelding.”
Miss Carollee was very hot headed prior to stepping on to the track for the opener. Stewards indicated that she “began awkwardly and raced four wide without cover.”
“Due to its pre-race manners, stewards advised trainer G. Richardson that the mare would be required to complete two satisfactory barrier trials prior to its next start.”
For all that, the Captain Sonador five-year-old battled on very well for third money, beaten less than a length.
The team has done well to get her to the post at all: other connections had failed to do so earlier on.
Miss Carolee’s record for Richardson and rider Hannah English is 4: 1-1-1-1.
Arnwood, starting for the first time since mid July last year, impressed against the older gallopers by easily taking out the Heritage Bank BM 65 Handicap (1000m).
Hannah English controlled affairs from the vanguard position, and the More Than Ready three-year-old that was gelded during his spell put a winning gap on his rivals in the approach to the home turn.
Arnwood’s seven juvenile outings for Richardson yielded wins at Rockhampton and Roma and placings at Mackay and Eagle Farm.
The side has drawn gate 10 for the QTIS Jewel Qualifier (Race 7, 5.40 pm) at Toowoomba on Wednesday.
English made it a double for the yard with a superb front running ride on Black Envy in the Nanango Bookmakers Association BM 50 Handicap (1200m).
(Photo : Ross Stanley)
* * *
Bits And Bridles
- Toowoomba apprentice Emma Macpherson kicked off her career perfectly with a first-race ride to victory on El Demonio in the Bechlys Transport Class B (800m). She was always prominent on the $5 pop and wore silks that had a touch of irony.
- The Denman gelding is prepared by Donald “Duck” Baker. His livery features a pink duck in the centre of the jacket. The cricket term duck is thought to derive from a duck’s egg because the shape resembles a nought. Emma, who is indentured to Downs trainer Robert Smith, was clearly quickly off the mark. Her background with horses includes pony club participation, pleasure riding, stud work and a year of trackwork riding.
- Hannah Phillips, after a couple of placings during the Lee Park card, saluted later in the day on Kym Afford’s charge After The Storm at Toowoomba.
- Saturday’s Oakleigh Plate winner Pippie comfortably led all the way as $1.50 favourite in a Doomben No Metropolitan Win event for fillies and mares on July 13 last year.
Don’t forget to mark the April page of the calendar with the Nanango (Easter Saturday) and Wondai (Anzac Day) dates.
