{"id":189381,"date":"2017-09-08T21:54:31","date_gmt":"2017-09-08T11:54:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=189381"},"modified":"2020-08-14T11:47:04","modified_gmt":"2020-08-14T01:47:04","slug":"spring-is-in-the-air","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2017\/09\/08\/spring-is-in-the-air\/","title":{"rendered":"Spring Is In The Air"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Houtzen (Jeff Lloyd) winning the 2017 Magic Millions Classic (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Gunsynd's<\/a>September 8, 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n

For the next ten weeks, the nation’s turf watchers will be firmly focussed on what could be termed an embarrassment of riches on offer in the south.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Queensland interest sparks up this weekend when the Magic Millions heroine Houtzen faces a first-up acid test at Moonee Valley in the $200,000 McEwen Stakes, an open age weight for age contest over 1000 metres.<\/p>\n

Despite the light weight, some of the prices about her prospects do seem to be well under the odds.<\/p>\n

Five of her six rivals have drawn on her inside.<\/p>\n

Although the I Am Invincible filly showed tremendous early speed against her fellow juveniles last season, she is opposed to some very talented rivals with Group One earnings to their credit.<\/p>\n

Some ultra smart two-year-olds do carry on the good work in their sophomore year but many don’t.<\/p>\n

Eagle Farm conditioner Kelly Schweida saddles up Shogun Sun in the $200,000 The Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.<\/p>\n

This Brisbane-based contender by Written Tycoon scored nicely at Randwick early last month before picking up second money at the Gold Coast a fortnight ago.<\/p>\n

The chestnut’s two victories to date have been registered on soft tracks.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, time is running out for Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club to finalise overseas representation for Randwick’s much vaunted $10 million sprint that should have been named The Kosciusko and not The Everest.<\/p>\n

European and American stables are more likely to target the Breeders’ Cup program that is conducted three weeks after the Sydney event that is scheduled for October 14.<\/p>\n

Any northern hemisphere hopefuls would need to be in quarantine very soon.<\/p>\n

The concept is a gamble for many parties.<\/p>\n

Slot owners that have already locked in a candidate will be anxiously analysing their nominee’s form in the phase ahead.<\/p>\n

Investors that have yet to sign up an aspirant yet will be banking on getting a runner that exposes impressive form from here on in.<\/p>\n

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FLASHBACK: Iain Scott, from Wynnum, and Sandy Connor, from Maryborough, cut a stylish nautical duo at last year’s Heritage Cup race meeting in Nanango; this year the theme is Feather Fascinators, Fedoras and Furs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nanango Countdown<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Given that Winx has not had walkovers at her two appearances this campaign, the television screens will be a centre of attention at Lee Park on Saturday, September 16 when she seeks her 20th successive victory.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was surprising to note that an attendance figure of around 9,000 was posted for last Saturday’s Chelmsford Stakes when she drew on her class to score by less than a length.<\/p>\n

The next mission for the Street Cry mare is the $500,000 George Main Stakes (1600m) which will be known as the Colgate Optic White Stakes this time around.<\/p>\n

Surely more people will turn up to witness this race if it seems a nail-biting contest could develop.<\/p>\n

It is a shame that the quality will be split, so to speak, with Flemington’s $750,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) presenting a more lucrative attraction.<\/p>\n

Nanango’s fashion theme is “Feather Fascinators, Fedoras and Furs” and some lucky, unlucky punter will pick up a great prize.<\/p>\n

All the winner will need to do is put a losing ticket that was made with a five dollar (or more) bet with a bookmaker in the barrel near the betting ring results board and stay until it is drawn out after the last.<\/p>\n

The reward is a night’s accommodation at the Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort and dinner for two at the Noosa Beach House.<\/p>\n

The bookmakers are the sponsors and it will no doubt please them to see an overflowing barrel!<\/p>\n