{"id":257625,"date":"2020-05-05T18:53:49","date_gmt":"2020-05-05T08:53:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=257625"},"modified":"2020-07-11T10:22:54","modified_gmt":"2020-07-11T00:22:54","slug":"the-well-named-hannahs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2020\/05\/05\/the-well-named-hannahs\/","title":{"rendered":"The Well-Named Hannahs"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
Hannah Phillips and Hannah Richardson, two outstanding South Burnett riders who are meeting the demands of racing under COVID-19 restrictions (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Gunsynd's<\/a>May 5, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

Apparently the words favour and grace are two meanings of Hannah, a name with Hebrew origins.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The South Burnett is very fortunate that jockeys Hannah Richardson and Hannah Phillips continue to favour racing with both their sterling work and gracious personalities.<\/p>\n

During their apprenticeships, the pair quickly displayed their professionalism, dedication and self-discipline.<\/p>\n

The duo really covered the miles, travelling extensively to ply their trade and to assist trainers by trackwork riding at various venues.<\/p>\n

There are many highly-paid sportsmen who are not in their league when it comes to attitude, respectfulness and humility.<\/p>\n

They have also taken up the recently-imposed challenge of the zoning system.<\/p>\n

A particular example was their effort to sport silk at Roma on April 18 and at Bundaberg the very next day.<\/p>\n

On the previous weekend they had ridden at Charleville.<\/p>\n

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

Despite the reduced opportunities created by the zoning system, both ladies chalked up six wins during April.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Phillips scored at Bundaberg on the $51 chance Gossiaux for the Kym Afford yard.<\/p>\n

The sprinter, on that occasion, pinged the gates, got its own way in the run and so avoided facing the sand kickback.<\/p>\n

The stablemate, the Reizarb filly After The Storm, registered her fourth victory from her last six outings.<\/p>\n

Anzac Day at Dalby was a mixed bag for Richardson.<\/p>\n

She landed a double with Patrick Sexton\u2019s charge Vermutin ($18) and the $3.20 favourite Wait A Minute for Matt Kropp.<\/p>\n

That winner made contact with the inside barrier petition on jumping and injured Richardson\u2019s right foot.<\/p>\n

Luckily, Hannah made a quick recovery.<\/p>\n

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

Richardson and Kropp unsuccessfully applied to have Spirit\u2019s First declared a non-runner in the Dawn Service BM 45 Handicap, claiming it was denied a fair start.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was established \u201cthat a barrier attendant did have hold of the mare\u2019s head in the barriers\u201d.<\/p>\n

Stewards were of the opinion \u201cthat Spirit\u2019s First had become fractious just prior to the start and, as a result, began awkwardly and lost ground.\u201d<\/p>\n

The panel deemed that the loss of ground was solely attributable to the horses own barrier manners.<\/p>\n

There is more than a week gap between the Anzac Day program at Dalby and the May 5 offering at Bundaberg, but that Tuesday program seems certain to face a rider shortage.<\/p>\n

Initially, jockeys could ride in two adjacent zones. Currently, Phillips and Richardson are part of the limited squad that are available for Dalby and Bundaberg.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, they can only help out with track duties at one nominated course.<\/p>\n

On Friday, Racing Queensland opened up the allowable level of interactions between the two key Metropolitan zones.<\/p>\n

In short – on race days – jockeys, trainers and strappers can operate in their \u201caway from home\u201d zone.<\/p>\n

This move is clearly designed to make the winter carnival a more workable scenario.<\/p>\n

For example, Chris Waller\u2019s aspirants housed at the team\u2019s Gold Coast base would have needed to travel solo when taken to race in the neighbouring zone at Eagle Farm.<\/p>\n

Jockeys and trainers would have been restricted to either the race days at Brisbane and Sunshine Coast tracks or at the Gold Coast, Toowoomba and Ipswich.<\/p>\n

Visiting jockeys and horses will now be separated on course from the host zone\u2019s participants.<\/p>\n

It is disappointing that South East Queensland Country is not part of the changes.<\/p>\n

Roma is barely out of the zone. Its inclusion would create more meetings for yards in the South Burnett and other areas.<\/p>\n

The traffic would be much less than the bustling metro districts will generate and so the odds of Covid-19 being transmitted in the rural setting would arguably be lower.<\/p>\n

Having said that, most industry players are very glad that they are still in action.<\/p>\n

When compared to others in the community, the turf world has had a lucky run to date.<\/p>\n

Fingers are crossed that no licensee tests positive to Covid-19 as restrictions are gradually eased.<\/p>\n

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

The Protocols<\/strong><\/h3>\n

All personnel attending Bundaberg meetings are temperature checked at the gate and issued with a wristband.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Social distancing for jockeys is well catered for – each rider has their own esky, table and chair in the pavilion.<\/p>\n

They also clean their personal gear during the day, and communal items such as saddlecloths are also disinfected.<\/p>\n

Hannah Phillips has noticed that horses have reacted differently to the absence of spectators.<\/p>\n

Some have been more relaxed and performed better while others have possibly missed the usual race day atmosphere and been less competitive.<\/p>\n

One thought is that horses get to know the different rituals.<\/p>\n

The likes of Winx seemed to be aware when she was just barrier-trialling and did not bother trying to unleash the requirements of an actual engagement.<\/p>\n

Stay safe!<\/p>\n

Footnote:<\/strong> Apologies for the inclusion of an image in the previous edition of Gunsynd\u2019s Gossip that was incorrectly labelled as being a photograph of Fred Freeman. This error was corrected as soon as I was notified about it.<\/p>\n