{"id":183374,"date":"2017-07-07T14:41:24","date_gmt":"2017-07-07T04:41:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=183374"},"modified":"2020-09-10T11:36:53","modified_gmt":"2020-09-10T01:36:53","slug":"danica-chases-wondais-chequered-flag","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2017\/07\/07\/danica-chases-wondais-chequered-flag\/","title":{"rendered":"Danica Chases Wondai’s Chequered Flag"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Dangerous Danica (Bridget Rooney) throttles back for an easy victory at Esk (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Gunsynd's<\/a>July 7, 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n

Toowoomba horseman Tom Dougall had reason to be revved up after Dangerous Danica (Bridget Rooney) comfortably went through her gears in the Somerset Region QTIS BM 50 (1200 m) at Esk last weekend. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Tom named the Masked Assassin mare after Danica Patrick, America\u2019s top female NASCAR racing driver.<\/p>\n

She is raced by Dougall\u2019s father John and is from the same family as the Dougalls\u2019 fine performer Lady Agulhas.<\/p>\n

The same team that also scored at Warwick in mid-June is looking to make it three on the trot in the Warana Hotel-Motel BM 65 (1465m) at Wondai on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Dougall, who has already parcelled up the 2016-17 Nanango Trainers\u2019 Premiership, now sits on the third rung of the South East Country Racing Association Premiership for this season with nine wins.<\/p>\n

Darryl Gardiner (14) and Glenn Richardson (13) have settled down to fight out the title race.<\/p>\n

At Wondai, the former will saddle up Trigger Lad while the latter\u2019s entries are Jill\u2019s Shadow and Hopetoun Street.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile Jason Hoopert (15) has an seemingly unbeatable lead over Chelsea Jokic (7) for the Jockeys\u2019 honours.<\/p>\n

In the Apprentices\u2019 division, Corey Bayliss (13) and Hannah English (13) are level pegging.<\/p>\n

Both riders are concentrating on some upcoming provincial cards.<\/p>\n

They both don silk at Ipswich (Friday), the Gold Coast (Saturday) and the Sunshine Coast (Sunday).<\/p>\n

English has one engagement at the Bundall course at 11:57am and then four more at Toowoomba.<\/p>\n

The forthcoming Bundaberg and Gympie meetings could well sort out the premiership aspirants.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Placegetter Liverpool Jane (gold jacket) wheels for home last Saturday at Esk (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Seeking Better Luck<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A pair of South Burnett gallopers that are backing up in Wondai\u2019s The Gums at Memerambi BM60 (1000m) on Saturday didn\u2019t have the rub of the green in the Lance Montana Media BM55 (800m) at Esk last weekend.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although Liverpool Jane (J. Hoopert, $13) was well drawn, stewards reported that the lightly raced Captain Gerrard (Ire) mare “shifted out to improve rounding the home turn”.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, Marked Forever and the grey Zenkali, the pair that beat Lindsay Anderson\u2019s charge to the post, were able to save ground closer to the rail.<\/p>\n

Monte Lago, after jumping from a very wide marble, was hampered near the 600 metres when Jeptoo laid out.<\/p>\n

The Kaylene Hamilton-prepared bay was the widest of the dozen contenders and out of the picture on the only bend.<\/p>\n

The Encosta de Lago gelding did well to be just four lengths adrift of first prize on the wire.<\/p>\n

This second event on the agenda will be a cracker: Liverpool Jane, Monte Lago and the Eidsvold gelding Like My Brother have yet to beaten on the Wondai sand.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Part of the marvellous crowd in attendance at Esk last Saturday (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Popular Period<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Last Saturday\u2019s turnout at Esk demonstrated that folk do relish winter racing. <\/strong><\/p>\n

For many years the month of July at Esk was synonymous with the annual Mater Children\u2019s Hospital Charity program.<\/p>\n

On peak occasions, more than a hundred buses helped ferry the mammoth crowds that flocked in.<\/p>\n

There was a reminder of the heydays at the Brisbane Valley course last weekend when the largest attendance since 2010 rolled up to bask under clear skies and savour a strong six-event card.<\/p>\n

Marquee Mall was busy and the Bella Rosa Tent proved to be a successful fund-raiser for Brainchild Foundation, an organisation that provides a helping hand to children and families affected by brain and spinal cord tumours.<\/p>\n

The South Burnett Race Club\u2019s fixture has generated very pleasing field sizes with lots of local interest.<\/p>\n

Sunny skies are forecast for Saturday, so it will be an ideal time to be trackside.<\/p>\n

Best of luck for your time with the thoroughbreds!<\/p>\n