{"id":84402,"date":"2014-10-10T21:41:28","date_gmt":"2014-10-10T11:41:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=84402"},"modified":"2020-11-23T15:20:48","modified_gmt":"2020-11-23T05:20:48","slug":"sheree-is-a-survivor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2014\/10\/10\/sheree-is-a-survivor\/","title":{"rendered":"Sheree Is A Survivor"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Sheree Drake (inside) pushes home a winner at Eagle Farm in 2006 (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Gunsynd's<\/a>October 10, 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

The worst moment at Lee Park last weekend was when Beaudesert jockey Sheree Drake came down very heavily from Midnight Ace about 700 metres out in the Mardi Gras Cup.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The grey, trained by Drake\u2019s partner Greg Cornish, lost all its head gear in the incident but escaped injury.<\/p>\n

The veteran hoop was conscious and able to move her limbs, and was initially taken to Kingaroy Hospital, but subsequently transferred to Brisbane.<\/p>\n

At Kilcoy on Sunday, Cornish attended to a winner in Clangoranda.<\/p>\n

Tommy Woodcock\u2019s one time apprentice was concerned that Sheree may have to contend with internal injuries.<\/p>\n

But the great news is that Sheree – a recipient earlier of two hip replacements – is now recovering at home after a rod was inserted in her back.<\/p>\n

The relevant stewards inquiry has been adjourned until Drake is able to be present.<\/p>\n

Sheree is a former truck driver who defied the odds when she turned her hand to race-riding at an age she said was approximately “when life begins”.<\/p>\n

I called her first day in silk at Beaudesert\u2019s 2004 Anzac Day fixture, and remember her opening effort was a forgettable fourth of four after being wide all the way.<\/p>\n

But she improved quickly to break through later in proceedings on Lord Reggae in the main event.<\/p>\n

It was a thrill to see her take such a forceful step forward.<\/p>\n

The following year, she had a four win haul during a Toowoomba program and brought up her first century in early 2006.<\/p>\n

Sheree\u2019s work ethic and toughness was legendary as she worked her way to provincial and city success.<\/p>\n

There have been a series of sidelining, injury-related setbacks that invariably bowed to her determination.<\/p>\n

Drake\u2019s most recent trip to the winner\u2019s circle was at home on 19 September when she sported the stable\u2019s pink and white livery atop Sir Blaze.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Western Maizcay streaks across the finish line in last Saturday’s Heritage Nanango Mardi Gras Cup<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Williams’ Western Fires Again<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Western Maizcay may be a ladies\u2019 man. Last Saturday, the chestnut by the American dirt tracker Southwestern Heat took out the $9250 Heritage Nanango Mardi Gras Cup (BM 65, 1200m) with Kelly Gates in the irons.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In mid-September the son of the Our Maizcay mare Our Stolen Maizcay got away with a Thangool BM 60 Handicap for Carly Pye, while Rhiannon Payne was aboard for its Maiden success at Taroom last Christmas when the then three-year-old debuted for trainer Tony Williams.<\/p>\n

Graham and Pam Field, racing enthusiasts with links to Murgon and Kilkivan, race the gelding hat has had only nine runs for his Wondai stable.<\/p>\n

Williams, a tyre fitter by trade, has done well with Western Maizcay, a galloper that can be unsettled on occasions.<\/p>\n

Although the sprinter is yet to start on home soil, he works well on the track that will host the attractive $12,000 Wondai Cup (BM 65, 1465m) on 18 October.<\/p>\n

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

The Curtain Went Up<\/strong><\/h3>\n

James Curtain was full of praise for Melody O\u2019Brien\u2019s cold ride on Lady Wivenhoe at Nanango on Saturday. <\/strong><\/p>\n

The pair settled down and relaxed in a rearward position. But once she hooked out at the top of the lane, the lightly raced Bon Hoffa mare showed a great turn of foot to score by three parts of a length in the Raising Hell in Maidenwell Maiden (1200m).<\/p>\n

The daughter of the Dehere mare Lavina Bay was stepping down in class.<\/p>\n

She responded well to the removal of winkers and the reintroduction of blinkers. The victory should give the bay a useful boost in confidence.<\/p>\n

The modest Kumbia trainer was delighted to win for clients Peter and Karen Marshall.<\/p>\n

The team also started the beginner Mighty Mo in the Sequalo Legacy-Spirit of Boom at the Gold Coast.<\/p>\n

Although the $51 pop finished well back, the two-year-old was not disgraced, winding up just a half length behind the Tony Gollan entrant Shipwrecked ($3.40).<\/p>\n

The float trip and the race experience should do the rookie the world of good.<\/p>\n

The stallions in Mighty Mo’s pedigree are an interesting collection.<\/p>\n

The page is riddled with a stack of American Triple Crown identities (winners of a leg or more) such as Secretariat, Affirmed, A.P. Indy, Seattle Slew, Northern Dancer, Bold Ruler and Native Dancer, as well as some very sound United Kingdom performers.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The in-form Skye Bogenhuber (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bits And Bridles<\/strong><\/h3>\n