The meeting was well supported by owners and trainers with strong fields the order of the day. A good crowd turned out for the occasion including a family reunion of the McCosker clan. They travelled form as far as Sydney for the occasion and for those that had not been back to Gunsynd Park for a while, they where taken with the appearance of the picturesque country track.
To add to the theme of Ladies’ Day, the girls won four of the five races with veteran jockey, Danny Frahm the only male jockey to salute.
Racing got underway with the Combined Real Estate Agents Maiden Plate over 900 metres and for the main part of the journey, it appeared that the speedy Miles trained filly, Flinders Miss would get the cash. But Nano, friendless in the betting ($21) got up in the last stride to bet a the well supported Flinders Miss with Little Zippy taking third place.
Queenoftherockies looked the bet of the day in the Main Street Traders Class B handicap but a slow beginning was always going to make it hard for the Easy Rocking mare. Second Calling lead easily for most of the journey but again, it was to be a swooper’s day and the Inverell trained Activism ($11) finished stoutly to take the thick end of the prize.
Queenoftherockies flew to get second and Second Calling held on for third.
Most local interest for the day centered around the Goondiwindi Hardware, Electrical & Gas Suppliers Maiden Plate over 1200 meters with a big syndicate turning out for King Roy’s appearance. Unfortunately, it was not the Kings Day and another bolter, Charged ($21) got home strong to take the cash. Sweet Lizzie set an early pace and then a blanket of horses got to Sweet Lizzie in the straight with Hotone getting third place. Charged gave Sarah Gaffney a well deserved win in the Maiden.
Race four was the Goondiwindi Industrial Sector Class 2 and this went the way of the local hope Prince Antibes ($6). This was a good effort as Prince Antibes was forth at Ipswich on Thursday and obviously, Goondiwindi was an after thought.
The McEwan stable saddled up three late nominations in the Class 2 Handicap and two of the three where in the money. Prince Antibes gave Leanne Mc Coy the first leg of a winning double. Triple Road was second and the fast finishing Empire Line was third.
And so to the last where probably one of the best Queensland Country sprinters took the cash. It was appropriate that a grey “The Hand” took out the last at ($1.80).
This prolific Country performer has won on tracks from Goondiwindi to Mackay and won well with big weights. His last start 7th at Doomben just highlights the importance of Country racing to these owners.
Trainer Andrew Donnelly said “he had come to Goondiwindi to get the prize money.
It is obvious that the eight year-old was just not quite up to city standard although only beaten four lengths in a 1 MW race three weeks ago, and we need somewhere to turn with these horse”. Stable jockey Leanne Mc Coy settled The Hand just off the pace and made light work of the 61.5kgs. A splash of $2 was bet and in the running, this looked to be a very good price. Disaster Dan was second with Your Latest Trick proving that another win was not too far around the corner.
And so another great day for the Goondiwindi Race Club. 27 individual sponsors, a healthy crowd, strong betting ring and all in all great Country Racing facilities.
The Club has certainly come along way in the last 4 or 5 years and rumor has it that further expansions are mooted for this very progressive Country Race Club.
The new disabled Uni-Sex Toilet blaock was opened for the first time on Saturday and this was wellacceoted by the patrons.
The next meeting is sure to be a beauty. The XXXX Gold Goondiwindi Cup to be run on Saturday September 13. This is a part of the now famous “Gourmet in Gundy Weekend.
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