{"id":88035,"date":"2014-11-14T14:39:29","date_gmt":"2014-11-14T04:39:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=88035"},"modified":"2020-11-23T11:42:33","modified_gmt":"2020-11-23T01:42:33","slug":"successful-upgrades-for-local-trainers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2014\/11\/14\/successful-upgrades-for-local-trainers\/","title":{"rendered":"Successful ‘Upgrades’ For Local Trainers"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Oakey galloper Estevez shows pre-race disdain for his Kilcoy rivals (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Gunsynd's<\/a>November 14, 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

Although it was a matter of minutes last Saturday before Nanango trainer Glenn Richardson saw Canid\u2019s runner-up result altered to a win at Chinchilla, it took 18 months for Leica Fuse – prepared by Kumbia\u2019s James Curtain – to ultimately prevail in a Thangool event that was “decided” on December 8, 2012. <\/strong><\/p>\n

The Chinchilla outcome centred around Matthew McGillivray, the widely travelled apprentice who had made a brilliant start to this season.<\/p>\n

After posting 10 victories in August and eight in September, it was little wonder that he was in a jovial mood at Kilcoy early last month.<\/p>\n

That day\u2019s sense of humour (illustrated by the photos in this week’s column) was missing after the scales showed the talented young Roma-based rider was more than the allowable half kilogram below his requirement.<\/p>\n

Unconfirmed reports suggest that McGillivray, with eight wins in October and three more already this month, missed his handicap mark by a very small margin after leading home the BM 55 field.<\/p>\n

Ironically, his mount Blue Jest would have actually carried the appropriate impost in the very hot conditions because the skull cap and whip are not included in the weigh-out and weigh-in procedure.<\/p>\n

As well as the penalty of losing the race to the runner-up through Blue Jest\u2019s disqualification, McGillivray was suspended from November 14-27.<\/p>\n

On furnace-like summer days, it may be worth having a basket of labelled water bottles in the starter\u2019s vehicle so riders can have a quick swig from their own flask before loading commences.<\/p>\n

This would seem to be a vital strategy in the event of a long delay at the barriers.<\/p>\n

Canid (Nathan Evans, $11), although beaten four lengths in the 1400 metre contest, has been knocking on the door to the winner\u2019s circle.<\/p>\n

The Elusive City gelding’s five lead up outings since his Maiden breakthrough at Nanango in August had yielded a second, a third and two fourth placings.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Jockey Matthew McGillivray enjoys copying Estevez (Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

Curtain\u2019s charge Leica Fuse, a Show A Heart gelding raced by Christiene Nettelfield, was belatedly awarded the Thangool Class 4 Handicap in June this year. <\/strong><\/p>\n

A protracted inquiry led to the drug-related disqualification of Power To Succeed, the Tony Button-trained galloper that had downed the “Grey Ghost” by a long neck.<\/p>\n

The meeting coincided with the Ravishing Red pre-Christmas program at Nanango.<\/p>\n

It has now become a red letter day for Old Boyneside with its perfect four from four scoreline.<\/p>\n

Kate Curtain handled a stable double with Dame Judi and Park Central at Lee Park while the duo, namely Night Escort and Leica Fuse, that James took to Thangool are now both winners.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Estevez (Skye Bogenhuber) continues to give the raspberry to rivals after his Kilcoy victory
(Photo: Ross Stanley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

Christmas Is Coming<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Mt Perry in the north Burnett has been very well supported with a pleasing line up this weekend. <\/strong><\/p>\n

But Gympie’s program on Saturday, November 29, will be the last one at its Southside track until March 7.<\/p>\n

Nanango Race Club\u2019s next meeting will be its Shades of Christmas fixture on December 6.<\/p>\n

Racegoers are reminded that the club\u2019s January card that clashed with the Gold Coast\u2019s Magic Millions Day has been dropped from its 2015 agenda.<\/p>\n

However, its replacement meeting – scheduled for February 14 – is an ultra-exciting prospect.<\/p>\n

A Twist of Pink Romance will be the Valentine’s Day fashion theme.<\/p>\n

Related pursuits and celebrations that could be very apt for the occasion include first dates, self-managed speed dating, marriage proposals, engagement parties, hens and bachelor soirees, anniversary festivities and blind dates.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, therapists often say that many faltering partnerships have been saved by the intensive excitement of a visit to a racetrack!<\/p>\n