{"id":166863,"date":"2016-12-23T16:48:11","date_gmt":"2016-12-23T06:48:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=166863"},"modified":"2020-09-29T13:18:45","modified_gmt":"2020-09-29T03:18:45","slug":"encouraging-signs-for-kristen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2016\/12\/23\/encouraging-signs-for-kristen\/","title":{"rendered":"Encouraging Signs For Kristen"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Nug’s Pocket enjoys the company of trainer Kristen Wenck and her father Jeff at Esk (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Gunsynd's<\/a>December 23, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n

The efforts of Nug\u2019s Pocket and Ascot Bound at Esk last Saturday were a positive sign for young Wondai trainer Kristen Wenck.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The former bounced back first up after finishing well back at Gympie and Nanango in July and August.<\/p>\n

The chestnut, in taking out third money, was only two lengths adrift of the winner Jeptoo in the Pat and Margaret Moffatt BM (800m).<\/p>\n

The result was better than the margin indicated as it was not all smooth sailing in running.<\/p>\n

Stewards reported that Nug\u2019s Pocket hung for the majority of the trip and will now have to trial before lining up again.<\/p>\n

The lightly raced Sequalo gelding, with a form line of 33: 2-4-10, is certainly deserving of a breakthrough.<\/p>\n

Ascot Bound, although beaten decisively in the Travis Thornton 30th Maiden Plate (800m), was fifth of eight on debut.<\/p>\n

The four-year-old had not faced the starter in a number of earlier preparations in the south, so it will be all the better for the experience.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Jeptoo (C. Jokic) holds Nug’s Pocket (A. Badger) at bay at Esk last weekend (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jeptoo Joined An Unusual Club<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While there have been many instances over the years of horses racing twice on the same program ,it is rare to see a galloper compete on successive days. <\/strong><\/p>\n

The Charge Forward mare Jeptoo followed a pleasing second behind Jill’s Shadow at Nanango earlier this month with a sixth placing at Ipswich on Friday, December 16 at Ipswich.<\/p>\n

The losing margin was a mere length and a quarter.<\/p>\n

The six-year-old, prepared at Oakey by Bradley Hudson, passed the vet check at Esk and raced with plenty of zip.<\/p>\n

It was far from the first occasion that winning rider Chelsea Jokic had teamed up with Hudson.<\/p>\n

The pairing was successful twice at Eidsvold in February 2012 when Chelsea, aged 16, registered the third and fourth victories of her career.<\/p>\n

Jokic, who is in the final stage of her indentureship to her brother Michael at the Sunshine Coast, made it an Esk double with Air Diamond.<\/p>\n

The result capped of great week with success also coming along at Eagle Farm and Mackay.<\/p>\n

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

Drake Defies The Clock<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Unlike Jokic, Beaudesert hoop Sheree Drake was at the forty-plus mark when she began race riding in 2005.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last Saturday, she piloted Pink Chaperone in the Grand Hotel Esk BM 50 (1750m).<\/p>\n

After staging a tremendous duel with Shannon Apthorpe on Singaraja, she had to endure a nose defeat.<\/p>\n

Drake, whose trainer-partner Greg Cornish served his apprenticship with Tommy Woodcock of Phar Lap fame, had the satisfaction of winning in the metropolitan area earlier in her pigskin days.<\/p>\n

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

Upcoming Calendar<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Country racing fans will find very little on course action over the coming six weeks.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is a feature program at Warwick on Boxing Day; Bell will be holding its a once-a-year meeting on January 7; and Kilcoy (and Beaudesert) will race on Australia Day.<\/p>\n

But things will return to normal in February, courtesy of Bundaberg (4th), Gatton (11th), Eidsvold (18th) and Nanango’s “Think Pink” race day at Lee Park on February 25.<\/p>\n

I’ll be taking a festive season break myself until January 22, and I’d like to wish all my readers a very Merry Christmas.<\/p>\n

I hope that folk who don’t go racing will make it a New Year’s resolution to get to the track at least once in 2017.<\/p>\n