By Casey O’connor
STANTHORPE Jockey Club and the Armstrong Park course get their chance to shine this weekend. Race club officials are expecting another bumper crowd for the annual Stanthorpe Cup meeting.
As ladies and gents, guys and girls put the final touches on their race day outfits, Jockey Club president Neil “Chips” Brunckhorst and the committee has been busy getting things ship shape at the track to ensure patrons have another great country racing experience.
Bernie Pramberg Courier Mail sport’s columnist who writes the weekly “For the Love of the Game” and wife Deb will be among the many visitors.
Pramberg says “It’s always an outstanding day’s racing, and I couldn’t think of a better place to enjoy Caulfield Cup Day. “There is always a very special vibe at this meeting which has become one of the most popular in Queensland over recent years.”
Club secretary Jill Brunckhorst reports there has been plenty of interest in the reserved marquee seating and lunch catered for by the Stanthorpe RSL.
When nominations closed on Tuesday for the five-event program, it was evident owners and trainers are as keen on the race day as the public with good nominations in all events. A full field of 12 runners look likely to the $12,000 Central Motors Holden Stanthorpe Cup.
Looking for back-to-back Cup wins is the Graeme Postle-trained Writtenintherain who last raced on his home track Dalby.
Other interesting runners are the Tony Seers-trained Scenic Road last start winner Sun Will Shine and Sippin’ Bundy is sure to have plenty of support from the rum drinkers.
Free buses will ferry patrons to the course from 11am and leave from the ANZ Bank.
There will be plenty of post-race entertainment for those who wish to kick on after the last. Patrons are reminded alcohol cannot be brought on to the course and under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.
The O’Connor household race-day plans have been thrown into turmoil with my Spin partner now nursing a broken arm after a mishap on Tuesday night. She would now welcome any suggestions on how to best accessorise a plaster cast. Normally, a student of form she is combing the fields for any horse representing “clumsy” or “klutz” – perhaps it might be worth a flutter on After the Bounce. Although she didn’t.
Hope you have better luck punting.
Giddup.
– Casey
PINK PARADE
STANTHORPE Golf Club turned on a virtual “Pink Parade” on Saturday as players embraced the annual Heritage Bank-sponsored Breast Cancer Research fund-raising day. Golfers were dressed to the nines in all things pink while their carts were decorated ready for action in the single stableford event.
The biggest winner of the day without doubt was the amount of money raised for this very worthy cause. Management and staff of the Heritage Bank in Stanthorpe were clearly delighted at the result and the effort players put in to ensuring the day was once again very successful.
Stephen Kay claimed first place with a round of 39 points. A lengthy countback was required before Aaron Simmers got the nod as runner
Linda Kelly won the ladies event with a score of 35 points, just one point ahead of second-placed Margie Locke.
Eric McLellan was named Best Dressed Male, however, his outfit probably wouldn’t get the nod from the Fashions on the Field judges at this weekend’s Stanthorpe race meeting. Helen Jones took similar honours for the ladies.
Things were a little more subdued when gofers hit the fairways for Sunday’s mixed foursomes championships. The event attracted a big field of very hopeful players. Good to see all were still on good terms after the game.
Mark and Racheal Hendry, with a score of 127 for 27 holes, are the 2016 winners and their names will be added to the trophy.
Second place was the team of Richard Reardon and Lyn Ludlow with 138. Best nett score went to Keith and Helen Jones with 106. Only a quarter of a point separated them from Greg Yap and Madeline Jarman.
A reminder that the open weekend, 22 and 23 October, is approaching fast. There are still some spots available for the Medley Fourball on the Saturday. Sunday’s single time sheet is full, and a reserve list is being prepared. If you have not yet registered, contact Neta.
Meanwhile, this Saturday is a club-sponsored stableford for players who are not going to the Stanthorpe races. Tee off from 11.30am, and there is a time sheet is on the board.
VISITING TRAINERS CLEAN UP
THEY came in numbers to Allman Park on Saturday and visiting trainers, horses and owners almost made a clean sweep of the seven-race Warwick Cup Programme.
The main event on the card, the $25,000 Warwick Credit Union Cup was won by the Toowoomba galloper Belflyer trained by Neville Petersen. The five-year-old gelding was slowly away but under vigorous riding from Ric McMahon narrowly edged out Spice of Life and Heroic Action.
McMahon was subsequently reprimanded by stewards for his use of the whip on the winner in the closing stages of the race. McMahon was one of a number of riders who came under the stewards scrutiny throughout the day for their use of the whip.
Jockey Ron Goltz was quizzed by stewards on the disappointing performance of his mount Rock on Ivy. Goltz told stewards the mare travelled well throughout the race, but when put under pressure in the closing stages failed to respond.
The winner started at the good odds of $9.00.
The meeting opened with the only win for local trainers when the Keith Lewis-trained Li’l Pippa saluted at the big odds of $26.
Rex Lipp got the ball rolling for the Toowoomba trainers when equal favourite Fine Eyes comfortably won the second event.
Despite laying in on other horses in the closing stages of race three, She’ a Kicker gave Max Kropp and connections a thrill in the Blue Chip Accouying Class One. The win also gave claiming apprentice Adam Spinks a double.
The Tony Sears-trained Orchard continued the success of visiting trainers when the three-year-old got the nod over That’s Ma Boy and Clardini in a blanket finish.
Apprentice Jarrod Woodhouse guided Rebel Rover to a three-length win in the $15,000 Freasers Transport Newmarket handicap for another Toowoomba trainer, Ben Currie.
The final event on action-packed day of racing was won by the Paul Jenkins- trained Jupiter Palm. Trained on the Sunshine Coast, the winner was ridden by veteran hoop Ron Goltzand, who was a popular pick with punters starting equal favourite at $5.00. The race was not without incident. Jockey Brooke Stowers received a nine-day suspension for careless riding after her mount So Choosy was involved in a scriimage as the field passed the winning post the first time in the 2000-metre race.
Race club officals were delightd with the bumper crowd who enjoyed another great day of racing and socialising at Allman Park.
BUSY WEEK FOR CROQUET ENTHUSIASTS
IT WAS a big week for mallet sports players and in association croquet Margaret Dickenson and Jenny Tunbridge played Pat Schnoor and Andrea Denkewitz in game one. After two breaks of five, Schnoor and her partner pegged out 26 to their opponents 20. Margaret Dickenson scored two breaks of three in the game.
Carol Verwey and Heather Widderick played Grace Howard and Val Shephard and notched up a 26-13 win.
A very keen players turned out for golf croquet however some opted out, plying only in the Friendship Day games. Triples were played in the morning, Justin Liddy, Liz Ellway and Elaine Brown played against John and Marian Castles and Judy Lock. The final score 11-6 in favour of team Liddy and included a hoop in one hit by Justin Liddy.
The ladies followed up with a game of doubles ending with a close score of 7 – 6. Top score came from Elaine Brown with five hoops.
After Thursday’s busy Friendship Day, only the hardy few fronted up for
gateball on Friday morning. The team of Bill Golding and John Draper played the white balls, winning three games to one against Andrea Denkewitz and Val Fancourt playing the red balls. John Draper was most consistent and continues to improve each week.
The tournament played in Toowoomba over the long weekend proved great experience for the Stanthorpe team.
Conditions were quite challenging, particularly on Saturday. The Stanthorpe team scored a win over the Rockhampton team. Andrea Denkewitz and Margaret Dickenson played in doubles in very challenging conditions and had some close games- the pair, winning one game against Toowoomba. Margaret Dickenson played two great long, cross-court “bomb” shots during the event. Great work! We look forward to competing in this event again next year.
WIN FOR McPHERSON
SPORTERS were on the greens and fairways bright and early last Sunday, playing ahead of the club mixed foursomes championships. Jim McPherson played well for a win. Runner-up was Tony Steele. John Walsh and Ray Thorn figured in the run-downs while Dick Hilton returned the best gross. No takers for the Pin on the third or the Pro Pin. Mark Lynam and Jim Mitchell each went home with a meat tray. Tee-off on Sunday is at the usual time of 8-8.30am. Hope to see you all there.
FRIENDSHIP DAY SUCCESS
ORHGANISERS of the Stanthorpe Croquet Friendship Day were delighted with the large number of local and visiting plyers that turned out last Thursday. So successful was the day that players spilled over onto both of the bowls club greens.
Justin Liddy president of the Bowls Club (also a croquet player) set up the courts with the assistance of by John Castles.
Visitors from clubs in Toowoomba and Warwick travelled to Stanthorpe for the day and joined members of the local club on the courts in what could only be described as picture-perfect condition.
All members of the home club contributed to the success of the day with donation pf prizes and morning tea. Special thanks to Joan Potter, the president of the Ladies’ Bowls who is soon to leave our district for south western New South Wales.
DRYING GREENS AND GOOD SCORES
GOLFERS teed off in a single stableford at Wallangarra on Saturday morning, and as the fairways were starting to dry out under clear sunny skies there were some good scores returned.
B. McMillian had a great game to win with 39 points. He was closely followed by K. Williams two back. P. Williams the winnings in the Williams picking up captain stakes.
The only two pins to go off went to pin seeker T. Murphy who claimed the third and ninth.
Another big weekend of golf is scheduled this weekend. A single stroke event on Saturday will be followed by the 36 Hole Foursomes Championships on the Sunday. Tee off on Sunday will be between 9am and 9.30am Qld time.
WATER – NO WORRIES ON THE RANGE
ONE access crossing was under water but the crossing on Bosnjaks Road was fine. There was a good roll up at the Inglewood SSAA shoot last weekend.
Jodi Bynon took out the Single Action defeating Iain Bowen and Tom Donald.
Final scores in the Rimfire Rifle 50m Fox resulted in a win for Ray Dudgeon with 100.8points.
Ross Jackson was second with 100.5; third, Peter Jones 100.3 followed by Tom Donald.
The 50m target was won by Ray Dudgeon. Placings went to Quentin Chapman; Ross Jackson and again in fourth spot Tom Donald.
The 50m Free Standing went to Stephanie Dudgeon who defeated Quentin Chapman and Michael Dudgeon. Again, Tom Donald finished in fourth spot.
Overall winner for the day in rimfire was Quentin Chapman ahead of Tom Donald and Stephanie Dudgeon
The club’s Firearm Safety Course on Saturday was well supported with all 11 participants much better educated on safety.
The next course has been scheduled for Saturday 12 November. Bookings for the course are essential and must prepaid. Cost per course is $120.
