WELL, true to the words of the favourite old bush song “And the Rain Tumbled Down in July” much of Queensland copped a generally unexpected wet Saturday.
Wet, but welcomed nonetheless.
Even if it did play havoc to the cup day preparations for Bundaberg and Julia Creek. Both meetings were postponed but a phantom meeting at Bundaberg was hastily substituted and the locals got to hear some words of wisdom by special guest Peter Moody.
The suspended high profile trainer has been kept busy touring the state’s feature meetings including Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Bundy - and this week he will speak in Darwin.
But not - as might be expected - at the Carbine Club function. He will be the attraction, but at a special luncheon on Friday at Fannie Bay racecourse a clash that has the down buzzing.
Moody has been somewhat of a hit on his tour with standing ovations at Rocky and Bundaberg. Plaudits from Rockhampton include: “We have had Waller and last year Tommy Berry. Moody was miles ahead”.
WE WONDER if Peter will tell the Darwin crowd how he was recently offered a contract with Racing.Com to interview various racing personalities. Maybe chief steward and arch rival Terry Bailey, it was suggested - which would be essential viewing to a wide audience.
But as soon as it went public (leaked via facebook at the Rocky Calcutta luncheon it seems). Racing Victoria was immediately on the attack and vetoed the contract, so the story goes. The power of one.
MEANWHILE RQ has announced that the Julia Creek Cup will be run on July 30 (Townville Cup day) with two extra races added to the already scheduled five race card and the Bundaberg Cup and Lightning will be run at the club’s next meeting on September 3.
Rain has also had its effect in the drought stricken west with Longreach already postponed from this week until the following Saturday.
But of course no one is complaining!
TOWNSVILLE missed much of the expected heavy rain and the first day of its carnival went without a hitch last Saturday. Consistent Rocky stayer Fastnet Flyer underlined his preparedness for the Cup on Saturday week with a gritty win over Cleansing Ale and the main local hope local hope Rockette in the Magnetic Island (wfa) formerly the JS Love Memorial the traditional lead up.
Fastnet Flyer’s jockey Adrian Coome is in a quandary, however, as are the horses’ connections as they await the result of a stay of proceedings request on a two months suspension incurred by Coome. The penalty was announced last Wednesday. It was the result of an enquiry by Rocky stewards into his ride on Ekklestone at Callaghan Park on June 10.
Stewards claim Coome showed insufficient vigour between the 600m and the 150m. Under new integrity rules Coome must apply for as internal review of the penalty and then request a stay from QCAT.
It is the time factor that is causing the concern but a Melbourne based jockey is believed to be on standby for the Townsville Cup ride.
AUSTRALIA’S winningest (hate the word!) jockey Robert Thompson will be back again at Cluden on the last two days. He has almost a full book for Guineas Day Thursday (July 28) but has not decided on a mount in either the Cup or Cleveland Bay on the Saturday. There are several offers of course.
“But I am still just sorting them out,” he said
One of his cup offers is the import Artibai which was purchased at auction last week by John Manzelmann for $33,000 and was due to arrive in Mackay on Tuesday.
The horse had good solid form before starting a well beaten favourite at Eagle Farm on Saturday. He looked to be bolting on the turn but Thompson (who rode at Eagle Farm on Saturday and is hardly complimentary about the new track) believes Artibai may have put his foot in a hole in the straight.
TOM HEDLEY the north’s most winningest owner was also interest in the horse and at one stage was going to offer $40,000 for him. But didn’t.
Tom made one of his rare visits to Townsville to see his star two year old Tyzone blitz them in the $110,000 Ville Classic. He stamped himself, without doubt the best youngster in the north and Tom was mightily pleased.
But it wasn’t just the races that attracted the successful owner to Townsville-his first visit for 12 months.
He was seen on Saturday morning having a “look at” the Oonoonba pub - once the best racing pub in Townsville and now on the market for some seemingly unrealistic figure.
There are some hoping the former leviathan hotelier who at one time had prime properties all over the country snaffles this one. At least he is poised for a comeback and admits “I like Townsville - always have”.
Straight from the man who at one time had the Hotel Allen and after whom the popular Tom’s Tavern is named.
