Racing AROUND Rocky with Tony McMahon.

Fabulous meeting at Keppel Park, Yeppoon last Saturday with an official crowd of 1200 spectators which did not include stakeholders and workers. Simply brilliant. Rockhampton trainers played a significant role. Tickled pink to see Alan Jones trained Miss Teak win for mother and daughter team of Lyn and Leaonie Horstman. Lyn, a former trainer, was a jockey herself in the day and daughter of that legendary Rocky horseman Colin “Lizard” Lisle.  She rode in women’s races in CQ in the early eighties including a Dolly Varden Stakes at Callaghan Park. Also delighted to see Callaghan Park trainer and recent second time mum Sileas Green take out a training double with  Chaseton (Colin Lennon) and Dragon’s Snip. (Jamie-Lee Devine).

How about Murwillumbah (NSW) rookie apprentice Claire Ramsbotham riding her first career win at Keppel Park. Indentured to trainer Matthew Dunn at Murwillumbah. Claire was up at 3.30am Saturday riding trackwork there, then she and partner the former talented GR 2 winning jockey  Brodie Loy (540 winners) drove to Brisbane and boarded a plane to Rocky. Then a ride to Yeppoon for a winner, two seconds and a third for Claire. I know a promising talent when I see one in the riding ranks and I saw one in Claire Ramsbotham at Yeppoon last Saturday. When I told her she won the jockey of the days prize at Keppel Park on Saturday, cheekily Brodie Loy piped-up “any prize for her mentor (him)?”  “ Satisfaction”, I replied. It seems Claire is learning well on the art of race riding from Brodie.

BRIEFLY:  It is a given that “the biggest certainty in racing is its uncertainty.” That was demonstrated in the Townsville Cup last Saturday when favourite Namazu, going for his third consecutive win in the feature race “bucked” in the first 200 metres and lost all chance. Jockey Ashley Butler did a mighty job in controlling Namazu and staying in the saddle. He was virtually pulled up as a result and tailed the field home. Apart from resultant lacerations in his mouth and tongue Namazu will live to fight another day. No doubt he will now spell and seek redemption next year. I feel for all his connections who must have been shell shocked by the gentle giants completely out of character antics. Racing is so unpredictable. Who would ever imagine that Namazu, the winner of The Archer here in April would blemish his outstanding record in that manner?

On a much happier note, congratulations to former RJC committeeman and premier trainer during his years in racing here, the now Bowen based Tom Button on winning Townsville’s $100K Cleveland Bay Handicap with Northern Pride last Saturday.

Much more to report on in the days ahead everyone. Happy 😀 Horses 🐎 🐎 Tony McMahon.

Photograph: Congratulations to Miss Teak, trainer Alan Jones and jockey Chris McIver who combined to win Race 3 at Keppel Park on Saturday.

Photo Credit: Yeppoon Turf Club.