By Casey O'Connor
The Armstrong Park track was in perfect condition for Saturday’s Stanthorpe Cup meeting. Rain in the early in the week and a final mow on Friday had the track in tip-top condition and that was reflected in the times.
The Cup winner Colpo Di Tamburo put the writing on the wall with a solid third in the Warwick Cup the previous week and landed some nice bets for some canny punters.
The seven-year-old ran a track record to beat favourite $2 Piracy who led and looked the winner in the straight.
The gelding was well ridden by apprentice Emma MacPherson who was able to claim three and a half kilos off the 59.5kg weight.
The five-event card opened with the running of the Country Club / MJ Cleaners Maiden over 1000m.
The race won in fine fashion by the Toowoomba trained Cyclone Diva starting $3 favourite. Isabella Rabjones was not afraid to take the Mark Currie galloper to the front early and set the scene for the next few winners with the track favouring those horses that led into the straight.
Rabjones followed the same pattern in the next the K & A Building QTIS Benchmark 55 on Bobbie Jo who was in front at the top of the rise in the straight and went on to win comfortably.
It was Matt Kropp’s only runner on the day and won easily, starting at the good odds of $3.50, despite having some handy recent form to his name.
Rabjones, on Splashing Rossa, looked likely to make it three in a row in the Ensby Electrical Class B but had to settle for a second behind winner Sam’s A Natural ($3.60) which is trained in Warwick by Jack Brown and had plenty of support from punters.
The five-race card wrapped up with the running of the Queensland Country Bank benchmark 55 over 1400metres
Punters finished the day on a high note with favourite High I Cue saluting for trainer Mark Currie and connections. The Toowoomba galloper well handled by Minonette Kennedy started favourite at $2 showing placegetters Salazar ($3.50) and Bill of Rights ($6) a clean set of heels on the post.
Riding honours for the day were with the ladies with all five winners ridden by the ladies. In form Isabella Rabjones riding a double.
Jockeys trainers and stewards reported the track raced truly and was in great condition which is a credit to the Turf club officials.
All roads this weekend lead to Clifton for their Annual Cup Day meeting.
