{"id":110515,"date":"2015-06-12T16:40:24","date_gmt":"2015-06-12T06:40:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=110515"},"modified":"2020-11-24T15:29:39","modified_gmt":"2020-11-24T05:29:39","slug":"nanangos-hannahs-hit-the-heights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2015\/06\/12\/nanangos-hannahs-hit-the-heights\/","title":{"rendered":"Nanango’s Hannahs Hit The Heights"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Winner Wimmer’s success in the Gayndah Cup gave Hannah English her initial career triumph (Photo: Three Way Photos)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Gunsynd's<\/a>June 12, 2015<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lee Park-based apprentices Hannah English and Hannah Philipps were the happiest of harvesters at Gayndah\u2019s Orange Festival race meeting last Saturday.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The former picked up the $9500 Avance Chartered Accountants Gayndah Cup (1400m) on her first day out in silks, while the latter added a double to her recent home-turf double and Thangool treble.<\/p>\n

English\u2019s opening attempt was for her master Glenn Richardson, but Miss Pugnacious failed to flatter.<\/p>\n

Things quickly improved for the Wondai-born rookie with her rides for Nanango premiership winning trainer Patrick Sexton producing the well rated, all-the-way Cup victory on Winner Wimmer and minor place money on Flinders Luck and Lucks In.<\/p>\n

The Bradbury\u2019s Luck duo finished only a long neck and a neck, respectively, from their conquerors so English was three times in the mix in what was a memorable debut.<\/p>\n

Hannah\u2019s early introduction to thoroughbreds came via her hobby-trainer parents Frank and Gabrielle.<\/p>\n

Her early primary school years were spent at Wondai before the family moved to a Nanango address that is a hand canter from Nanango\u2019s racecourse.<\/p>\n

Animals have always been the cornerstone of the 25-year-old\u2019s working and personal life.<\/p>\n

She served for around a decade as veterinary nurse at centres in Nanango and Kingaroy, and developed saddle skills at pony club before a successful period in the worlds of dressage and eventing.<\/p>\n

Hannah\u2019s desire to become jockey has evolved during her four year stint at Nanango as a trackwork rider and strapper for the Richardsons.<\/p>\n

Her agenda on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings includes a trip to Oakey to assist Sexton with his large team.<\/p>\n

Participating in jump-outs and barrier trials at Toowoomba was a key part in her education and licensing requirements.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In recent months Hannah has been on the back of Winner Wimmer in conditioning gallops, and so she was no stranger to the Real Saga four-year-old when legged up last weekend.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Patrick, a former foreman for the Gai Waterhouse juggernaut, may well have learnt the importance of supporting apprentices from his father Peter.<\/p>\n

Back in 1951, “Ceb” Barnes opted to stay in Brisbane to be with his mother Sara when her home-bred filly Chez Dior ran in the prestigious QTC McDougall Stakes.<\/p>\n

The alternative was to go to Melbourne to watch his own horse Basha Felika compete as favourite in the Caulfield Cup.<\/p>\n

The Eagle Farm riding responsibilities were handed to young Peter.<\/p>\n

The lad came from well back to salute on the 12\/1 chance and then Neville Sellwood made it a rare double for the Canning Downs identities.<\/p>\n

He booted home the prime Cup fancy a half neck ahead of fellow Queenslander Blue Vest, a 25\/1 outsider fathered by The Buzzard.<\/p>\n

By remarkable coincidence, the runner-up was bred and raced by Lyndhurst Studs\u2019 Jack McDougall, Ceb\u2019s friend and neighbour who stood The Buzzard.<\/p>\n

“Dad actually wished for a dead-heat.In 1945, Jack urged my father to put his mare Perfect Morn to The Buzzard before the sire was retired,” John Barnes told Queensland Racing Magazine in November 2007.<\/p>\n

“In fact, he made it a free service as a welcome home gift to Ceb on his return from RAAF wartime duties.”<\/p>\n

That mating created Basha Felika.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Hannah Phillips and Captain Clayton have proved to be a potent pairing (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Captain Clayton, Hannah Phillips\u2019 best four-legged mate, did the right thing again, carrying 60.5 kilograms to win the Neville Gordon Memorial BM 65 Handicap (1000m).<\/strong><\/p>\n

The partnerships\u2019 last four assignments have chalked up three wins and a third.<\/p>\n

Phillips also scored on Al\u2019s Briefs and finished was runner-up on Everingham, Famechon Baroness (beaten a lip) and Achievements (in the Cup).<\/p>\n

Seldom does a jockey with a full book collect gold or silver medals all day!<\/p>\n

Collectively, the pair of Hannahs – with their nine engagements – filled seven of the 15 podium places at Gayndah.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Given that there is racing set down for Toowoomba (Friday), Kilcoy (Saturday) and Dalby (Sunday), Eidsvold Race Club has reason to be delighted with the fields for Saturday\u2019s Cup card.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The North Burnett club offered an $8000 minimum in the replacement edition of its washed out February fixture.<\/p>\n

Hannah English will be looking to increase Winner Wimmer\u2019s silverware haul in the $9000 Bruce Chiene Insurance Eidsvold Cup (1350m).<\/p>\n

She will also partner Sexton\u2019s other aspirants Show A Noee, Lucks In and the aptly named She Brings Joy as well as Luna Azzura for Richardson.<\/p>\n

Lyall Appo will return to his birthplace to pilot the Mark Goodwin trained I\u2019m The One in the Cup.<\/p>\n

There is considerable South Burnett involvement in the Eidsvold program, so hopefully there will be positive tales to tell here next week.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Meanwhile, through no fault of its own, the Kilcoy Race Club has drawn a disappointing line-up of seven acceptors for its lucrative $15,000 Ian and Di McCauley Brisbane Bloodstock Bonus QTIS Maiden for two-year-old fillies (1200m).<\/strong><\/p>\n

The well established initiative is restricted to female riders, and carries a bonus free service to Top Echelon, a prize enhanced by the track deeds of his sons River Lad and Our Boy Malachi.<\/p>\n

Somehow Toowoomba is also staging gender-specific juvenile QTIS maidens.<\/p>\n

The eight-runner limit that applies from the 1000 metre start meant that the fillies\u2019 event was split into two divisions.<\/p>\n

The Clifford Park winner, if QTIS eligible, will be paid $17,600 while the Kilcoy counterpart will receive $13,250.<\/p>\n

Oddly enough, the eight colts and geldings in their contest will all be handled by female riders.<\/p>\n

Kilcoy\u2019s other five events, including the Keith Beavis Memorial Kilcoy Cup (1500m), each have a $7500 purse.<\/p>\n

Hannah Phillips will be hoping that her three rides earn her the $500 award for the leading female jockey.<\/p>\n

There is a similar gift to the top male hoop with the overall best rider picking up the $200 Bruce Duncan Memorial Challenge Trophy.<\/p>\n

Another cash incentive put up by the K.R.C. is the $500 that goes to the leading female trainer.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Birdcage at Doomben is an example of contemporary – but temporary – racetrack infrastructure (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Carnival Capers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Brisbane Racing Club enjoyed wonderful weather for its recently concluded four meeting carnival.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A visit to Doomben last Saturday would have really opened the eyes of anyone who had not attended a major meeting in Brisbane for some years.<\/p>\n

The challenge for planners is to provide choices, both cost and quality wise, for patrons and exploit all available spaces to accommodate the range of options generated.<\/p>\n

The general public admission for Stradbroke Day was $35, and a race book cost $8.<\/p>\n

A huge number of racegoers arrived early with one mission in mind – they sought a free table and chairs that would be a base for their party.<\/p>\n

The range of more private and sophisticated environs was topped by The Birdcage, a significant double level construction (pictured) that was located past-the-post with head-on race vision.<\/p>\n

The charge was $700 per head for a package that included admission, racebook, an on-going finger food (called cocktail) menu, premium beers, wines and champagne.<\/p>\n

The precinct was sold out.<\/p>\n

The other end of the scale was the Patchwork Steakhouse, formerly the Gunsynd Garden.<\/p>\n

$85 got you entry, a wine on arrival, a steak and sides and the all important reserved seating.<\/p>\n

Horse-lovers were pleased to note that the area was close to the mounting yard and horse-stalls.<\/p>\n

Between the extremities were 14 other sites including various marquees, the Chalets, Little Brisbane (Infield), Lawn Party, Punters\u2019 Den, Johnnie Walker Lounge, Hometurn Party and Terraces Dining Rooms.<\/p>\n

It must be said that all settings were stylish if not economical for those with a mortgage.<\/p>\n

The fascinating aspect was the creativity in utilising areas to their utmost.<\/p>\n

The bottom line is that the income delivered is akin to the food storage squirrels and the like have to achieve for the harsher times.<\/p>\n

Racing clubs can all do with days when the conditions are ideal for harvesting.<\/p>\n