{"id":246804,"date":"2019-10-26T16:37:25","date_gmt":"2019-10-26T06:37:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=246804"},"modified":"2020-07-15T18:57:01","modified_gmt":"2020-07-15T08:57:01","slug":"easy-enough-for-hard-enough","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2019\/10\/26\/easy-enough-for-hard-enough\/","title":{"rendered":"Easy Enough For Hard Enough"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
Hard Enough, trainer Darren Evans and jockey Kelly Gates pose for the cameras at Wondai
(Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Gunsynd's<\/a>October 26, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rookie Ipswich trainer Darren Evans is experiencing a lucky streak in more ways than one, and the change of of fortune is timely. <\/strong><\/p>\n

After a race fall at Beaudesert in December 2017, his surgeon informed him that he would never ride again.<\/p>\n

If the storm that washed out the last four events at Wondai last Saturday had arrived just a little earlier, he would not have chalked up his second success from just six opportunities.<\/p>\n

Madam Shazam, his very first starter, won a $75,000 Doomben 1MW Handicap on a very heavy surface on July 6.<\/p>\n

On that occasion, the Sebring mare that had previously run for the stables of Tony Sears and Toby Edmonds was a $10 to $20 drifter.<\/p>\n

Last weekend, Hard Enough ($8) romped home in the Maiden with Kelly Gates in the saddle.<\/p>\n

The All Too Hard four-year-old, after missing a place at Gayndah the week before, was having its second outing under Evans\u2019 tutelage.<\/p>\n

For Hard Enough, it was the 13th task of its career.<\/p>\n

Although the gelding had never filled a place in eleven assignments for Gregory Hickman and Allan Knack, he earned a crust every time for finishing tenth or better.<\/p>\n

His total from those payments to tenth was $6640, with the Wondai victory adding $5000 to the bank account.<\/p>\n

Evans’ father Graham represented Australia in the show ring while his grandfather Roy was a trainer in the harness code.<\/p>\n

Droughtmaster, the term for a breed of cattle, may well be applied now to Evans.<\/p>\n

Hard Enough and Madam Shazam, the six-year-old that he races with his wife Kelly, both prevailed on very wet days!<\/p>\n

\"\"
Although last Saturday’s deluge deprived them of rides, the jockeys at Wondai were happy to see some rain fall in the region at last<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

Very Keen Interest In Kumbia<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Melbourne Cup Day program at the Flemington of the Bush on the first Tuesday of next month is very appetising.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The $10,000 Huston Motors Kumbia Cup (1400m) tops the bill.<\/p>\n

It is part of the Country Cups Challenge, a series that is similar to the Battle of the Bush.<\/p>\n

The winner gains a place in the final, the $105,000 0MWL2Y Quality (1600m) at Doomben on November 30.<\/p>\n

The \u201cBoy\u201d and Joyce Reid-Burnett to the Valley Class 2 Plate (1200m) carries QTIS bonuses and points on a 3,2,1 basis for placegetters in the series developed by six of the South East Region country clubs.<\/p>\n

Legs have been decided at Eidsvold and Gayndah.<\/p>\n

Nanango has a turn on December 1.<\/p>\n

The owner(s) of the horse that earns the most points pick up $3,000, while the leading trainer and jockey are awarded $1,500 and $500 respectively.<\/p>\n

Supporting these attractions, all with $8000 purses, is the Jim Lenihan-Helen Smoothy Memorial Ratings Band 0-55 (1400m), a Class B Handicap (900m) and a Maiden Plate (1200m).<\/p>\n

Patrons need to remember that there is no EFTPOS facility at the course and that State law forbids BYO alcohol.<\/p>\n

The four categories for the fashion contests are Most Stylish Lady (under 45s), Most Stylish Lady (45s and over), Best Dressed Gentleman and Best Headwear of the Day.<\/p>\n

Sashes are awarded to each winner and runner-up.<\/p>\n

While the Dash of Pink applies to the fashion, it is the theme for the day with its specific link to the McGrath Foundation.<\/p>\n

Information about the South Burnett\u2019s support for the Pink Up Your Town Breast Care Nurses Project is available online<\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Kumbia Hotel is again the venue for the Melbourne Cup Calcutta on Sunday, November 3. It is a \u201c2:00pm for 2:30pm\u201d gathering.<\/p>\n

Racegoers with inquiries about the 11am bus service should contact Kingaroy\u2019s Carrolee Hotel on (07) 4162-1055.<\/p>\n

General questions about the race day should be addressed to (07) 4163-7200.<\/p>\n

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

Sand Again On Saturday<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Fifteen gallopers that missed out on racing at Wondai have accepted for Saturday\u2019s Gympie fixture. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Clouds, the probable favourite for the ill fated Wondai Cup, is nicely drawn in the $24,000 Gympie Cup.<\/p>\n

The grey\u2019s allocation of 58.5 kilograms for this heat of the lucrative Country Cups Challenge gives him a weight edge on Mackay\u2019s Sensational Ally and Roma\u2019s Oggie.<\/p>\n

The mile trip of the Cup has been mastered twice before by the aged gelding.<\/p>\n

Although well beaten at Eagle Farm over 1800 metres a fortnight ago, Grande Casadora should have been topped off nicely by the run.<\/p>\n

The mare by Big Brown (USA) has scored three times from four attempts at the Southside course.<\/p>\n

From the perspective of number of starters, Bundaberg\u2019s Melbourne Cup program on the sand should draw from a pool that differs from Kumbia\u2019s grass.<\/p>\n

Gympie has plenty of riders for this weekend\u2019s feature schedule.<\/p>\n

Hopefully, there will be enough hoops around on November 5 to cover the six meetings in the south-east corner.<\/p>\n