Asking why
After you read all of the following column, ask yourself why the new Greyhound Complex destined for Yamanto is not a dual code project.
Given the amount of input into harness racing in Queensland, from the greater Ipswich footprint, the current direction of “stand alone dogs” defies all logic.
It’s time for Harness to put some effort in for its own future. There are many, many millions invested in private training facilities in this footprint, and a great majority of trainers.
It is time that the Government recognised this investment and sent Harness to a dual code facility (not inside a gallops track) that will make money!
Realising a dream
A dream that started with a thirteen-year-old boy looking over the fence at Rocklea on a Saturday afternoon, and wanting desperately to own a pacer, is now a reality that is gathering momentum. (The following comes from the keyboard of Darren Clayton at Racing Queensland)
“Passionate owner and investor Craig Whiteoak had a successful week with three of his team scoring victories at Albion Park.
“It was a Tuesday double at The Creek for Whiteoak with a newcomer to the team, Itz Cherokee Jack joining Its Mr Clooney in the winner’s enclosure.
“Both former Kiwi pacers are trained by Chantal Turpin, with Turpin having formed a strong alliance over the past few years, training numerous winners for Whiteoak.
“Itz Cherokee Jack was having his first start since crossing the Tasman, with the three-year-old arriving in Queensland the winner of his only race start in June when successful at Ascot Park.
“With a pair of smart trials in readiness for his first appearance, the gelding was dealt a blow when landing gate seven over the 2,138 metre trip.
“With leading driver Pete McMullen at the reins, the pair eased to sit at the rear for the first lap before McMullen made a three-wide move with 1,000 metres to travel.
“Wide off the track, the son of American Ideal was game, loomed up to put the leader away and then held off a fast-finishing Call Me Diva to claim victory.
“The second leg of the double came later in the day when Its Mr Clooney secured his fourth victory since Whiteoak purchased the gelding from the South Island of New Zealand.”
And there’s more
Further research provided by RQ’s Chief Harness Handicapper Brett Rail fleshes out the skeleton of Whiteoak’s involvement, and we find that the principal of IH Capital currently owns fifteen horses.
Over a period of twenty years, commencing in 2001 with the pacer Azachip, and finding his first winner in 2009 thanks to Guy In A Hurry, which scored at Albion Park, a total of forty three pacers and one trotter have been fully or part owned by CW.
The whole deal has provided, in monetary terms 611 starters for 88 winners, 69 seconds, 71 thirds and 94 fourths.
The resulting bankroll stands at $567,257.83.
How you might quantify the highs and lows and the massive thrill when it all comes right at the winning post, is not for me to speculate upon.
Suffice to say that Craig Whiteoak is the major sponsor at Marburg, and his standing start “IH Capital Goldstrike Series” is the signature event on the Marburg calendar.
It fulfils a desire kindled at Rocklea watching the massively successful “Pot of Gold” as a boy.
A contribution that CW can be justly proud of!
Racing at Marburg
Queen’s Birthday is coming next Monday, October 4.
It will be one of Marburg’s major family day meetings for the year and will be a strong program, plus all the country harness racing features that we expect from the Show Ground circuit.
Just the place to prime the kids for a happy return to school the next day.
Adults $5, kids under 16 free. Pensioners and Members $3, Race books $3.
We race again just three days later on the Thursday with a Redcliffe type program. October is rounded out with another big day on Sunday the 14th. Something for everybody.
The totem pole
The battle for “sulky sitting supremacy”, continues hot as ever.
Pete McMullen and Nathan Dawson finishing the week locked together on ten wins apiece.
With 67 races run in the reporting period, it seems incredible that two drivers should harvest 29.8 percent of the available wins between them.
Adding more interest is the fact that the closest behind the giants was Narissa McMullen, posting six wins, a result which would be great in any other week.
Up on the trainers pole, Chantal Turpin showing the way with six winners from Ron Sallis who lead in four of the best.
A number of other trainers with two winners, the most pleasing being Tayla Gillespie’s race to race double at Redcliffe on 20/09, Matt Elkins in the sulky. Ipswich Factor 43/67..
Resultsville
Redcliffe
20/09.. Misterriodejanieo (Matt Elkins for Tayla Gillespie).. El Gran Senor (Matt Elkins for Tayla Gillespie).. Geldof (Chloe Butler for Ryan Veivers).. Miss Mia (Pete McMullen for Peter Greig).. Risky Buziness (Matthew Neilson for Ricky Gordon).. Little Dee (Nathan Dawson for Steve Towns)..
Albion Park 21/09..
The Reaper (Narissa McMullen for Terry Hancock).. Woodlands Wonder (Steve Doherty for Mal Charlton).. Cobbity Castle (Nathan Dawson for Chris Frisby).. Barika (Trent Dawson).. Le Tissier (Narissa McMullen).. Uncle Shank (Pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin).. Dream To Share (Brittany Graham for Darrell Graham)..
Redcliffe 22/09..
Hammertime Harley (Pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin).. Bettorthanspraying (Chloe Butler for Ryan Veivers).. Chanceless Century (Pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin).. Westar Sam (Narissa McMullen for Ron Sallis).. Pippa Maguire (Narissa McMullen for Ron Sallis). Torque In Control (Pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin).. Elevate (Nathan Dawson for Ben Crosby).. Redcliffe..23/09.. Dancing With My Ex (Pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin).. She Owns The Day (Pete McMullen for Graham Dwyer).. Datsinhurri (Matt Elkins for Donny Smith).. Studleigh Will (N Dawson for John McMullen).. The Casual Goose (Hayden Barnes for Michael Nutley).. Lifes Black (N Dawson for Mark McNee)..
Albion Park 24/09..
Just rokin (Pete McMullen for Peter Greig).. Juddy Douglas (Matt Elkins).. Lettuce Roll (Pete McMullen for Graham Dwyer).. Arma Veyron (Narissa McMullen).. Paris Kay (Nathan Dawson for Graham Dwyer)..
Albion Park 25/09..
Squire (Nathan Dawson for Greg Franklin).. Major Fernco (Pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin).. Young Conqueror (Nathan Dawson for Donny Smith).. Under Worked (Lachie Manzelmann for Ron Sallis).. Blue Moon Rising (Angus Garrard for Darrell Graham)..
Redcliffe 26/09..
Royal Obsession (Narissa McMullen for Ron Sallis).. Geldof (Sam Clotworthy for Ryan Veivers).. My Ultimate Heston (Matthew Neilson for Ricky Gordon).. Downtown Lucca (Nathan Dawson for Allan Sanders).. Wedding Night (Nathan Dawson for Greg Franklin)..