May 7, 2021
Racing industry participants have more cash-paved pathways than usual at Burrandowan on Saturday.
First up, the base purses of $9000 and $10,000 represent above-average offerings for country courses. Furthermore, three of the events have bonus opportunities attached to their conditions.
The potentially largest windfall is associated with the Kewpie Battle of the Bush Qualifier Open Plate (1175m).
In short, the winner secures a place in the 16-horse field that will be striving for a slice of the $200,000 prizemoney in the final at Eagle Farm on June 26.
The Burrandowan heat is the second contest in the state-wide series. The other one for this district is programmed for Gayndah on 5 June.
The Kellco Livestock Agents-Patrons Trophy Burrandowan Cup (1740m) is the penultimate leg of a series that also involves the clubs at Bundaberg, Monto, Gympie and Gayndah.
The categories cover owners, trainers and jockeys.
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Leading contenders seeking further points this time around are trainer Shane Parson with Daunting Warrior, the Gympie galloper whose rider Isabella Teh is comfortably clear with six points.
The grandson of Octagonal was impressively strong at Wondai on Anzac Day from the outside gate and has drawn the rail on this occasion.
Prestissimo, a lodger at Mark Lewis’s Gympie stables, and Destination Rocks, prepared at Eidsvold by Bob Murray, are others that are handily placed on the current points ladder.
The third chest of extra treasure is linked to the Combined Business Houses of Kingaroy QTIS Maiden Plate (1175).
Bluindi, The Devastator and Ayepeetee are eligible for juicier cheques because of their membership in the Queensland Thoroughbred Incentive Scheme.
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Punters who follow the “horse for courses” motto have a tough task in assessing Saturday’s form.
Only three candidates have had any race day experience around the dirt circuit that is a “home among the gum trees”.
Back in 2019, Aklavik won its Maiden at Burrandowan. In third place was Ringo’s Magic, the well-named Drumbeats gelding that had filled the same spot there a year earlier.
Music Scene, the Kaphero gelding that will making its 100th appearance, won a Burrandowan Class B in May 2016.
The opening event on the card, the Seilers Transport-O’Reilly Nunn Favier Surveyors Class B Handicap (1050m), is brimful of good chances.
Oddly enough, high on the list is A Good Chance, a very easy victor for trainer Neville “Shorty” O’Toole and his wife Denise on home sand at Wondai a fortnight ago. Leeanne McCoy will again be the pilot.
Another lightly raced aspirant is Hannah Richardson’s mount Duready. The Better Than Ready three-year-old, trained by Hannah’s husband Glenn, is well-drawn.
Our Boy Borris turned in a tidy effort at Nanango at Easter. The bay by Easy Rocking is in with a show if he repeats that performance.
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The Nutrien AG Solutions-Jim’s Jerky-Gilliland Livestock Marketing 0-60 Rating Handicap is a fascinating affair.
Kentford’s last ten outings for trainer Lindsay Anderson have harvested two wins, four seconds, three thirds and a fourth placing. The competitive, gritty trier scored narrowly at Wondai last month for Paul Hamblin, the much-travelled jockey that competed at Warnambool this week. Kelly Gates will be in the saddle on Saturday.
Eight of the eleven riders booked to don silk are female.
Oakfield Comanche looms large.
The chestnut’s seven tasks to date have produced four victories. Janene Armstrong’s charge is seeking the hat trick and the in-form Hannah Phillips is the four-year-old’s partner again.
Strong opposition looks likely to come from Harry’s Me Boy and Miss Bulitz while the ex-Victorian Miralie will appreciate the drop in class.
Novice punters may care to look for horses that are most likely to give them a run for their money.
Check out the form line that shows the total number of starts and the wins and placings generated.
Consistency is one of the indicators of “a will to win” attitude.
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Reminders
- Patrons should check out the race club’s comprehensive website
- All entry tickets need to be pre-purchased online
- There are no ATMs and there is no mobile phone reception
- The traditional Saturday evening pit-fired barbecue and dance music by RYZA will happen
- Limited camping is now permissible for Saturday night. Caravans and camper vans will not be able to access the grounds. However swags, vehicles and small tents can be used
- Shuttle buses are scheduled from Kingaroy, Kumbia and Durong. Further information is available at (07) 4168-1533 or (07) 4164-8163
The 2020 meeting was lost because of the COVID crisis. No doubt folk are chomping on the bit in anticipation of a great renewal this year!
