{"id":221136,"date":"2018-10-27T11:58:43","date_gmt":"2018-10-27T01:58:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=221136"},"modified":"2020-07-27T11:27:52","modified_gmt":"2020-07-27T01:27:52","slug":"all-fine-with-clouds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2018\/10\/27\/all-fine-with-clouds\/","title":{"rendered":"All Fine With Clouds"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
Hannah English and Clouds at the gate after their 2018 Wondai Cup triumph (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Gunsynd's<\/a>October 27, 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

by Ross Stanley<\/strong><\/p>\n

The deeds of the players involved in Cloud\u2019s victory in last Saturday’s Roy and Glenis Radunz Wondai Cup (1465m) are noteworthy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hannah English rode the grey pacesetter with clear precision.<\/p>\n

Despite having opponents Still The Same and Patche Gift parked beside her for much of the circuit, she rated her mount perfectly.<\/p>\n

Clouds, to his credit, took it in his stride and didn\u2019t fire up.<\/p>\n

He hadn\u2019t raced since late July and some gallopers can be keen when fresh.<\/p>\n

In the uphill run home, the Bradbury\u2019s Luck gelding responded resolutely to repel the challenge of Cooee March, the Griffith tourist saddled up by owner-trainer Russell Hogan and handled by Robert Faehr.<\/p>\n

Clouds’ Trainer Lindsay Anderson did a sterling job in preparing the seven-year-old for the first-up tilt.<\/p>\n

The four appearances by Clouds at Wondai have all been over the Cup distance.<\/p>\n

He has now chalked up three wins and a second on his home course.<\/p>\n

Anderson\u2019s labours were also rewarded by Solgaze\u2019s success in the G. Crumpton & Sons Class B Handicap (850m).<\/p>\n

An inspired change to the Statue of Liberty (USA) mare\u2019s training regime meant many a long stint in the trackwork saddle for the Hivesville horseman, and the usual fast gallops employed for sprinters were replaced by longer, steady pacework.<\/p>\n

The tactic paid off and the Thangool Maiden winner gave comeback jockey Shannon Apthorpe his first post-suspension triumph.<\/p>\n

The Downs hoop made it a double when he booted home Elusive Element in the Kingaroy RSL Class B Handicap (1465m) for Caloundra trainer Trevor Thomas.<\/p>\n

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

The Race With Triple Firsts<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Harley\u2019s Heavy Diesel Maiden Plate provided three parties with personal firsts. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Classic Beau, at just his second try, found his way to the winner\u2019s circle.<\/p>\n

His trainer Matt Boland experienced his first taste of success and the Tycoon Ruler three-year-old was the first horse bred by part owner Lyn Coleman to salute.<\/p>\n

Boland, 33, having established himself as a breaker and pre-trainer at Haden near Crows Nest, responded to the encouragement of clients to take the next step up in the thoroughbred industry.<\/p>\n

He has the distinction of having been the early educator of all 19 horses currently on his books.<\/p>\n

Eleven of those are in work and are based at his Toowoomba stable that includes day yards.<\/p>\n

The Haden property, presently with eight on its roll call, gives Boland\u2019s string a variety of environments.<\/p>\n

Obviously, one advantage the newcomer has is the length of his association with the individual horses.<\/p>\n

Classic Beau and his stablemate Flaming Lamborgini have assignments at Kumbia on Melbourne Cup day.<\/p>\n

The co-owner along with Coleman is the former trainer Stephen Neylon – the duo run the Gowrie Hotel and have had a long involvement in racing.<\/p>\n

“Classic Beau used to prance about a bit and so we wanted to name him Mr Bojangles, but it was taken,” Neylon said.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"\"
Monica Ryan (right) holds the trophy named in her honour with winning hoop Cecily Eaton while former jockey Marita Babb relishes the Wondai catch-up (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Females To The Fore<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Fittingly, in the Monica Ryan Trophy QTIS Class 2 Plate, six of the eight riders plus the winning galloper and her owner were of the fairer sex. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Echoingly, resuming after an eleven month absence, scored easily for Cecily Eaton with Paradiski (Maurice Crawford) and Schindler (Hannah English) filling the placings.<\/p>\n

The daughter of Drumbeats suffered knee chips late last year, and a sterling job by Toowoomba trainer Stephen Kirkwood to ready the five-year-old for the tough task was rewarded with a QTIS bonus.<\/p>\n

Kirkwood\u2019s wife Catherine races the brown mare that was bred by her father Ron Macrae.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, it was great to see Monica\u2019s friend Marita Babb in attendance.<\/p>\n

Back in 1996, she finished fourth as a claiming apprentice on Full Suit at Doomben on the day Chief De Beers took out the Foster\u2019s (now BRC Kingsford-Smith) Cup.<\/p>\n

Coincidentally, Freeze de Beers, a close relative of The Chief, competed in the G.Crumpton & Sons Class B Handicap.<\/p>\n

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

Kumbia Kicks On<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There will be many patrons at Kumbia\u2019s Melbourne Cup day program harbouring a special purpose in their hearts this year. <\/strong><\/p>\n

It will be the community spirit that stirs people to stand up to adversity and move strongly forward.<\/p>\n

The area\u2019s fate dealt by the violent storm or \u201chail-nado\u201d on October 11 has been well documented and appreciated.<\/p>\n

The Kumbia Race Club hopes that its Huston Motors Kumbia Cup meeting will be one of celebration as the district recovers.<\/p>\n

It has extended its best wishes to the many farmers, businesses and residents in the community who were impacted by the savage storm.<\/p>\n

It is also time to rejoice that the episode was fatality free.<\/p>\n

The racecourse did have significant breakages to a number of glass panels, as well as damage to carpets in the bar area and to the roof of the horse stalls.<\/p>\n

Repairs will be completed before November 6.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, the Club recently received finance from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund to waterproof and seal areas of the grandstand building, which will cost about $25,000.<\/p>\n

The run-down:<\/strong><\/p>\n