‘Rocky represent’ … some exceptional recent results for our local cohort.

So much news to report- so where do I start?

That’s simple with premier Rockhampton apprentice jockey, the now Brisbane based Tahlia Fenlon. Been an unforgettable weekend for Tahlia. Last Saturday she rode her first metropolitan winning double at Doomben through My Snow Queen (David Vandyke) and Sizzling Gal (Liam Birchley). On Sunday at the Sunshine Coast, Tahlia registered her 171st winner on former Callaghan Park based trainer Darryl Hansen’s Curry Legend. Tahlia has come a long way in a relatively short time since her first race ride at Emerald in May 2021. She has stuck to her guns in the highly competitive Brisbane scene and is now reaping the rewards through justifiable recognition. Her rock is her master Chris Munce and now, if you will forgive the pun “she is becoming a chip off the old (sorry figuratively speaking of course Chris) block.” As I said in a recent interview with Tahlia, “the racing world is your oyster.” Excuse what some may perceive as a crude expression, Tahlia is a classic example of  “head down and bum up.” She has worked hard and deserves every success that comes her way. Take it from me, Tahlia is destined to go a long, long way in racing.

Seriously, nothing gives me more pleasure than a “shout out” to the small players but vital stakeholders in Rockhampton racing. Sincere congratulations to two Callaghan Park trainers Laurie Clem and Alan Jones. Laurie won with Little Miss Belle ($14.00, Tahlia Fenlon) and Alan with Santorini Summer ($11.00, Warwick Satherley) last Thursday there. Better still Laurie and his partner Jeanette Darveniza race Little Miss Belle and similarly Alan and his better-half Jo Thomas are the owners of Santorini Summer. Jeanette I believe celebrated her “21st” birthday a few days before the win. Jockeys have always told me down through the years they delight in riding winners for the true blu battling (no disrespect implied) trainers. The winning smiles on Tahlia and Warwick on returning to the winners stall confirmed that loud and clear without a word being uttered. Trust many more wins come your way Alan and Laurie.

Astapor, which once called Rocky home confirmed at Rosehill on Saturday that he is a competitive force in Sydney. The colt, a recent last start Brisbane winner under Clinton Taylor, ran a game 2.54 lengths fourth to Gatsby’s in the LR Rosebud (1100m). Now with Joseph Pride at Warwick Farm, Astapor made a pleasing start to his Sydney preparation.

Callaghan Park trainer Jamie McConachy certainly has the key to veteran Zoustar 9YO Montenegro Man. On Saturday, the pair shared victory with jockey Justin Huxtable in the $75K Cairns Newmarket (1400m). A winner of 11 races now and $478,480 in stakes, Montenegro Man was having his third start this preparation under McConachy. He has now had three racing campaigns under the astute McConachy having been shuffled between him and Kelly Schweida and Pat Webster in SEQ in recent years. A $60k yearling purchase from the historic Widden Stud, Widden Valley, NSW, Montenegro Man started off with Melbourne’s Mark Kavanagh and was a Caulfield winner for him in January 2020. In his trio of preparations with McConachy, the old timer has won each time. Well done Mr. McConachy.

Montenegro Man was one of three Cairns winners on Saturday for Brisbane jockey Justin Huxtable who is literally flying in the skies and on the racetracks. That treble brought up Justin’s ninety winner over the last 17 days. They came hot on the heels of his successes at Rocky (last Thursday) and in the previous fortnight in Mackay and Townsville as well. Former South Australian Huxtable has ridden 391 winners since first legged up as a jock in 2016. One of his assets is his strength and vigour in a finish. Now that he is a regular on the SEQ FIF0 scene up on this and beyond neck of the woods, a premiership win is on the cards for him.

That incredibly successful combination of trainer Clinton Taylor and premier jockey Justin Stanley celebrated their 117th winning partnership at Cairns last Saturday. They shared wins with Irresistible Force and Single Memo. Unfortunately their recent Rocky Newmarket winner Honky Tonk Diva let them down in the Newmarket up there. The well performed mare was having her last start before a beckoning stud career. As Tony Clements of Radio TAB’s popular Tuesday Bush Beat  program said “you would go a long way before finding a more successful combination.” Well said Tony and keep in mind this is only their fourth season together.

Keep an eye out for Callaghan Park barrier trial winners from last Friday in Janean, Tekopo and Honour Me.

Graeme Green’s Tekopo was particularly impressive.

More later this week- Happy Horses Tony.