Racing AROUND Rocky with Tony McMahon.

It’s become a regular phenomenon, so much so it is taken for granted. What would that be, I envisage you thinking?  

ANSWER: Callaghan Park, Rockhampton based trainers plundering northern race meetings. They certainly did just that at the Mackay and Townsville feature meetings last Thursday week and last Sunday. There were 16 races programmed in entirely over the two days. Rocky trainers produced nine winners, nine second placegetters, six thirds and three fourths. This included five quinellas as well as a trifecta and a first four to rub salt into the wounds of the northern locals. Their prizemoney haul was a massive $286,600. Now that is something quite special.

At Mackay races on the Thursday, the Rockyites led in four winners – Ricky Vale (Early Fusion) and Stephen Rundle (Whatjeudoin’) while Clinton Taylor snared a double through Hangin’ Around and Kick On Command both ridden by Brisbane’s Samantha Collett. In the process of the 11 other Rocky horses running in the first four races at Mackay, $132,650 in prize money was won by the Rockhampton stakeholders.

It got even better at Townsville on Sunday where they won five of the eight races. Graeme Greem and Nick Walsh shared the laurels with winning doubles. Green with Astra Star and Top Spy and Walsh with a pair with names in line with the quote – “Hell has no fury like a woman scorned”! Very appropriate don’t you think as Walsh’s winners were Hell and Queen Assassin? That pair didn’t just win – they annihilated their opposition and will do likewise again soon. Rockhampton’s other winning trainer was Jared Wehlow with City Playboy. Take into account another six placegetters and a fourth placed horse, the Rocky trainers “smoked it” hauling in $153,950 in stakes. 

While on the Northern subject, good luck to Rockhampton’s Pav Cheimardinov and his fellow ownership partners, trainer Ricky Vale and jockey Ryan Wiggins with one of my favourite horses Namazu on Saturday. The Archer winner Namazu will be attempting to win three consecutive Townsville Cups at Cluden Park racecourse. Quoting from a report from Racing Queensland’s racing scribe Jordan Gerrans, the only time that achievement has previously occurred was in 2000, 2001 and 2002 with local, the unforgettable Erol Sewell trained Party King (Foaled 1992, Star Way-Society Queen x Noble Bijou). Party King, through those achievements was well named being by Star Way. I’ll wager there will be a celebratory party going on in Townsville on Saturday night should Namazu win the $150K Cup. Good luck to the Rocky crew. Incidentally, veteran trainer Errol Sewell won 15 Townsville premierships and has not renewed his licence this season.

A much smaller contingent of locals is heading to Townsville glamour meeting on Saturday than the invasion to Mackay and Townsville as reported on earlier. Ricky Vale will also run Flying Mable, Early Fusion, Seisme, Knight’s Sword and Sennapost. Jared Wehlow on his annual norther excursion has starters in Harbelle, Serafin, Cusack, Letmeletgo as well as Major Artie in the Cup. Mark Cochrane, who is getting some fine results recently takes a three-horse team there to Cluden comprising Stampe, Real Key and Bering Sea. They are among 166 acceptors for the mammoth nine race program.

Locally racing resumes at Keppel Park, Yeppoon on Saturday which is joy to the ears of raced starved Capricorn Coast followers. The Yeppoon Turf Club hasn’t raced at Keppel Park since Derby Day races last November. Regrettably, after all the toils of the dedicated voluntary YTC committee and loyal followers, the club’s April meeting was cancelled becoming the victim of wet weather. Such is not the scenario on Saturday where holidaymakers and locals alike are sure to flock to the Keppel Park racecourse which is so appealing. 

The YTC was delighted with the entries last Tuesday when 58 horses were entered and equally thrilled with the final acceptances of 53 horses to start. However, I can image their disappointment when trainers could only muster jockeys to ride at the meeting. Believe me the trainers tried sourcing jockeys from all over Queensland. Apprentices Shae Neilson (Mackay), Jamie-Lee Devine (Thangool) and Tom Orr (SEQ) will make the trip. Earlier today (Friday) little known SEQ based apprentice jockey the 4kg claimer Claire Ramsbothan answered an SOS rom Mackay trainer Joshua Manzell. That prevented five more scratchings/As well jockey Adam Spinks comes from Brisbane while locals Tash Chambers, Chris Mc Iver and Colin Lennon make up the “Magnificent Eight.” As a consequence of the severe shortage of jockeys (I’ve said for ages they are as scarce as hen’s teeth) to service Saturday country race meetings in Queensland some 15 horses are likely to be scratched from Keppel Park because of “no jockeys available”. 

Imagine if you were an owner of any one of those 20 horses just how you would feel. Gutted that’s how. This on-going problem has been exacerbated somewhat for the Yeppoon meeting through circumstances completely beyond the control of the YTC. For instance, Warwick Satherley is suspended for a week while Ashley Butler is riding at Townsville. Brooke Johnson is on the injured list as are Adam Sewell, Natalea Summers and apprentice Olivia Kendall. Mackay’s Jade Doolan is very sadly through injury unlikely to ride again while Nicky Seymour has retired and is expecting her first bub. As well former Rocky apprentices Erin Molloy and Nicky Olzard have transferred their indentures from that city. It is quite possible have missed one or two others including Rocky apprentice McKenzie Apel who has not ridden since Mt Isa a few weeks back.  There are nine race meetings programmed in Queensland this Saturday and from what I can see Yeppoon does not have this jockey shortage all to its own It is very concerning.    

Plenty more news early next week everyone. See you at Keppel Park tomorrow and at Callaghan Park’s next race day on Thursday, August 15. Happy Horses – Tony McMahon.