October 17, 2024
Chinchilla trainer Rodney Hay is in for a busy day at the pink-themed Caulfield Cup Day in Wondai on Saturday.
He is set to saddle up Ablett in the Raffin Electrical “Burnett to the Beach” heat, Holiday Dreams in the Seiler Earthmoving Handicap, Lonergy in the Monica Ryan-Kathleen Hoult Memorial and Momack and Man In The Mirror in the Roy and Glenis Radunz Wondai Cup.
And his grey gelding Opaquely, prepared by Kym Afford, will take on Ablett in the opener at 1:35pm.
Local trainer Kristen Roon has Jain really firing at present. The Drumbeats mare has won three of her last four starts, including two on the sand at Gympie. She has a 3:1-1-1 record on her home circuit.
All bar the topweight Holiday Dreams have yet to run here; the bay by Exceed And Excel scored comfortably at Wondai on Anzac Day.
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South Burnett rider Hannah Phillips will relish the short drive to the course.
In September, she trekked out to the annuals at Bedourie and Birdsville.
This season, the stalwart has also plied her trade at venues such as Warra, Doomben, Gladstone and Goondiwindi.
Her engagements this time are Lipstick Lies and Queen Nina for Kay O’Neill, Girramay and Man In The Mirror.
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Despite the excellent prizemoney purse of $15,000, only five acceptances were notified for the Cup.
Although Pat Duff’s aspirant Scottish Prince has no strong form thus far on sand surfaces, the maestro knows more than a thing or two about what is required at Wondai.
Momack has registered five wins and two placings from 14 opportunities since moving north.
His six career victories on slow and heavy going suggest he might adapt to the sand. His stablemate, Man In The Mirror, was runner-up in the 2022 VRC Sires Produce Stakes.
Man In The Mirror’s recent success at Twin Hills last month may be a confidence booster. His only other win was at his first outing at two at Warwick Farm in December 2021.
Master Drumer bolted in at the Anzac Day fixture over the over the Cup distance. A month ago, the seven-year-old prevailed at Gympie with Saturday’s foe, War To All, in third berth. The latter was on top subsequently in 0-50 grade at Eidsvold.
Newcomer Nora Palasthy made her debut in the saddle at Gympie on September 21. She grabbed two placings but broke through last Saturday at Gayndah on No Better Affaire for Eidsvold horseman Bob Murray. The team will attempt to repeat the dose in the “Burnett To The Beach” heat.
Nora, who is indentured to John Holcombe at Landsborough, is booked to ride Gympie galloper Braidwood Prince in the Tarong Power Stations-Meandu Mines QTIS Maiden Plate, Epauvescent in the Monica Ryan-Kathleen Hoult Memorial and Momack in the last.
The Memorial event for the sisters Monica and Kathleen is an opportunity to remember their passion and skill aboard horses. In 1990, Monica’s quadrella at Wondai underpinned the full sweep of the seven race card by the women. Kathleen had a long involvement in various equine domains.
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The South Burnett Race Club’s longstanding tradition of aligning with Caulfield Cup Day continues.
Hopefuls in the $5 million handicap – Huetor, Deny Knowledge, Warmonger, Young Werther and the Queensland longshot Knight’s Choice – all raced at the 2024 Brisbane Winter Carnival.
In the lineup for the $20 million The Everest at Randwick, I Wish I Win, Giga Kick, Bella Nipotina, Private Eye, Stefi Magnetica and the reserves Think About It and Mazu, also enjoyed Queensland’s beneficial warmth.
Antino, Queensland’s recently announced Horse Of The Year, did his home State proud with an amazing triumph in the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield last week.
His name joins the honour roll of the time-honoured mile event alongside previous northerners in Solzhenitsyn (2012-13) , Show A Heart (2001), Gunsynd (1971) and the Gold Coaster Cole Diesel that also won the Cup in 1989.
All the racing from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne will be shown on course at Wondai.
REMINDER: Kumbia will be the centre of attention again on Melbourne Cup Day!
