By CASEY O’CONNOR
AS THE young fillies and colts paraded in their finery on Saturday at Armstrong Park and the keen and seasoned punters struggled to find winners among the myriad of form guides; ladies shared bottles of bubbles and everyone went about the business of enjoying a great day out. Only those with a keen eye would have seen one of the tougher sides of a day at the races. Jockey Damion McIntosh rode a great race to get Cover Up over the line for connections and those punters lucky enough to have been on the chestnut gelding in the third event.
When the runners returned to the enclosure, McIntosh slid from his mount and dropped to his haunches obviously in some distress and unable to unsaddle his mount for several minutes. He regathered and weighed in. Correct weight was declared and there were smiles all round for the winners. It was a great ride from the heavy-weight rider who does not get many opportunities. There was good reason for his post-race distress. It was six months since he had ridden in a race although he is a regular track work rider for some of the bigger stables. Last Monday he was offered rides in Stanthorpe and in the ensuing five days had stripped off no less than six kilos to make the required weights of his mounts on Saturday.
The next time you vent over what you consider a poor ride from some jockey or bemoan having to let your belt out a notch or worry whether the outfit makes you look fat spare a thought for these blokes. Many of our lesser known jockeys and even some of those more recognisable faces do it this tough week in week out.
I tip my hat to Damion McIntosh who finished second on Quelle Beaute in the final event (another good ride). Well done. I hope more opportunities come your way. Your dedication to your chosen profession is what makes racing. It should be recognised not only as a great sport but also a great leveller. Shame I was not on the winner though. Next time perhaps.
– Casey
WRITTENINTHERAIN’S GOLDEN WIN
THE Stanthorpe Jockey Club kicked home another winner last Saturday with a record crowd attending the annual race meeting. Jockey Club president Chips Brunckhorst said the annual Cup meeting which coincides with Caulfield Cup day continues to grow in popularity. Perfect conditions, good fields and a great crowd combined to make it a great day out for locals and visitors who were treated to everything good about the Granite Belt.
The Cup was won in fine style by Dalby-trained gelding Writtenintherain. The Graeme Postle owned and trained seven-year-old who has clocked up a half century of starts was well ridden by Leanne McCoy coming with a well-timed run down the centre of the tricky Stanthorpe course to win by a comfortable margin on the line from the more fancied Baroness Zena and Going Going Gone. It was a girl’s day out for riders with all three placegetters ridden by the ladies who rode three of the five winners on the programme.
The meeting opened with the MJ Cleaners Stanthorpe Painting Services Maiden and despite not having started for some time, the grey filly Casse Bleu trained in Warwick by Rod Hilton looked forward in condition. She skipped away in the straight to win by almost two lengths over her rivals. The filly started at the good odds of $5 and many punters with a keen eye were queuing to collect.
Locally bred Tycoon Ace was impressive winning the K & A Building QTIS class 2 H’cap and is a galloper that is likely to go on to better things judging by his win over Finnomony and Whatever Miss. Ridden by L. Attard for John and Gail Harvey the Tony Sears trained three-year-old has now two wins from only three starts and is worth watching.
Race three the Benchmark 55 over 1200m sponsored by the Country Club Hotel and Liquor Legends went the way of Cover Up ridden by Damion McIntosh. In a tight finish the six-year-old mare made the trip worthwhile for Goondiwindi trainer and owner Gary Thwaite. In a good finish, the mare was doing her best work on the line, overpowering Wylie who led the field up and was being hailed the winner at different stages down the straight.
The meeting wrapped up with the running of the Stanthorpe RSL Crisps Coaches Class 3 and was won by Ipswich visitor Doing Our Best and ridden by Faith Elliott for Lyn Paton.
While the action is over for another year for the record crowd, for Chips Brunckhorst and his hard working committee the clean-up was on in earnest on Sunday morning and the planning to make next year even bigger and better begins.
The Cup meeting continues to draw visitors from interstate and across Queensland. According to now regular Stanthorpe racegoer, journalist Bernie Pramberg who writes the Courier Mail column “For the Love Of the Game,” the Stanthorpe meeting is one of the must do meetings on the Queensland racing calendar. There are few who would disagree.
AMATEUR BOXING MAKES A RETURN
AFTER an eight-year hiatus, amateur boxing makes a return to the Stanthorpe Civic Centre this Saturday. The tournament will be hosted by the Stanthorpe Boxing Club with all the action getting underway at 5pm. Clubs from across Queensland and Northern NSW will be participating. They include Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast, Kingaroy, Deception Bay, Pittsworth, Rockhampton, Cunnamulla, Grafton, Kingscliffe, Tamworth, Coffs Harbour and Woodburn.
It should be an exciting night of boxing with local fighters including Dean Dunbar and Ty Miller at 30kg, Dylan Dunbar Kiane Doorley and Mackenzie Martin at 40kg, Marco Kent and Mason Picknel at 55kg looking forward to competing in front of their local crowd. The hard hitting Jamie Dunbar returns to the ring after a 10-year lay-off. Weighing in at 85kg, he will face Richard Dunn of Coffs Harbour in what is sure to be a tough contest.
The main bout of the evening will showcase Stanthorpe talent Adam Martin who will be fighting Tyler White of Woodburn. White currently holds the North Coast NSW Superheavyweight title and for fight enthusiasts this is a bout not to be missed. A bar and hot food are available on the night. Tickets ($15) will be available at the door. Children under seven are free.
WINNERS ON THE BOARD AT GOLF
NOT all the winners were at the Stanthorpe races last Saturday. For those golfers who failed to secure a start at Armstrong Park competition, it was a Stableford event with a club-sponsored trophy up for grabs.
In what turned into a close finish, Lyle Bryant picked up the winner’s prize after he returned a score of 44 points. The win came in spite of the combination of some great tips and training from his playing partners.
Competition for those not getting a start at the races last Saturday was for a club sponsored game. Keith Green also had a great run returning to scale to pick up the runners-up prize after a countback relegated Greg Fraser to the minor placings. Fraser played a close to the pin shot at 3/12 to hold the pin all day while Bob Thorn, visiting from Wantima picked up both the pin at 17 and the pro pin at 1/10. Fred Wharton collected the remaining pro-pins at 5/14 and 9/18.
Youngster Hannah Reeves had more interest in golfing birdies than fascinators and feathers. She won the Ladies event with a score of 39 points just ahead of runner-up Neta Thouard who placed second with her score of 38. She also had the best approach shot in the ladies competition at 17. Kay Webb held the ladies pin at 3/12.
With all the attention and focus returning to the Stanthorpe Golf Club and Stanthorpe Open this weekend, officials were pleased with the response of members to the working bee. The work completed will be a great help to the Greenkeeper Bill who has been flat out putting the final touches on the course. There is little doubt he will have come up with some interesting pin placements for the enjoyment of players.
Time sheets for the event are full and club officials wish to remind players to check their tee off times to ensure they are not left out due to being late.
Saturday’s event is a medley 4BBB with a shot gun start at the earlier tee off time of 11.30am. Registration should be completed by 11.15am at the latest.
Sunday’s single event is an all-day affair with some groups playing at the earlier time of 6.30am.
The club extends special thanks to long-term sponsors Maddie’s Gift Gallery and City Golf Club, Toowoomba for their ongoing support.
BUSY WEEKEND AT ‘Garra
THERE were plenty of options to keep golfers at the Wallangarra club happy during a busy weekend of golf. On Saturday in the Stroke event, Jamie Purcell and his magnificent Callaway driver proved too strong for the rest of the field. Steven Hampstead finished in second place ahead of Scott Williams who took out the third placing. Hampstead also bagged two pin shots on nine and the approach.
On Sunday, the 36 hole Foursome Championships was played. Nett Winners were Kevin and Scott Williams. Runners-up were Jamie Purcell and Peter Williams. Steven Hampstead and Gary Sutcliffe were the gross winners.
Pins were claimed at three (Peter Williams), nine (Thompson) Steven Hampstead was on song at 15. Re action at the ‘Garra this Saturday where the club will be holding the annual Paul Hampstead Memorial Stroke competition.
CHANGE OF PROGRAM
THE muzzle loading shoot and centrefire event scheduled for last Sunday at the Inglewood Range could not be held due to unforeseen circumstances, however an impromptu pistol shoot was held making use of the new layout.
Peter Jones from Texas obviously found it to his liking. He proved too good for Tom Donald and Ross Jackson.
RAWLINGS AND LYNAM IN GOOD FORM
JOHN Rawlings was in good touch at Sporters on Sunday snaring a win over runner-up Mark Lynam who also had the best gross score. Both Angelo Maugeri and Mick Doorley figured in the run-downs. Terry Byrnes took the Pin Shot on the third while Keith Green picked up the Pro Pin after his good round on Saturday. Sneaking off with meat trays were Marg Locke and Craig Pearson.
Players are reminded that there is definitely no Sporters this Sunday due to the scheduling of the Stanthorpe Open. The following week (Saturday 31 October) is the Annual M & D Auto Day. Why not nominate your team to play for some great prizes. It is certainly heading into a busy time on the greens in Stanthorpe. – Amanda McCosker Lions Young Ambassador is holding her golf day on Sunday 21 November – make sure to make a note of that in your golfing diaries. In the meantime, Sporters will be back to normal tee off on Sunday 1 November from 8am – 8.30am.
LADY LUCK SMILES
DRAMA and dodgy decisions abound as the World Cup heads to the pointy end of the competition. In another nail-biting finish, the Wallabies were lucky to come away with a win over Scotland in early hours of Monday morning. For those diehards who burnt the midnight oil, it was a real edge-of-the-seat finish as the ref ruled an offside penalty in the Aussies favour in the dying moments of the game. Unfortunately, if you are a follower of the Scotland side officials have admitted the ref made an incorrect call and should have awarded a scrum. While there is an old adage “Winners are grinners” you have to feel for the Scots, but we’ve all been there before – just ask the Cowboys supporters. The result is in the scorebooks and while the Pommie press is going into meltdown. No northern hemisphere team left in the tournament, the Scots robbed and the Wallabies undeserving of their place in the semis Michael Cheika’s reaction to the circus was refreshingly honest. “You win some, you lose some.” Although I suppose if you are on the right end of a dodgy call, it makes it easier to be circumspect. Chieka has also shouldered much of the blame for the Wallabies below par performance against the Scots, promising a better prepared outfit in this weekend’s semi against the Pumas.
Not surprisingly, South African referee Craig Joubert is unwanted this weekend for the semi-final games. Leading into the World Cup many would have considered it unlikely to see the Pumas advance to this stage of the tournament. They are perhaps the most improved side in World Rugby at the moment and have been quietly building towards this moment. Although the Wallabies have an enviable record against Argentina, this will be no easy game.
The All Blacks have the favs target firmly on their back after thrashing the French in their quarter final and meet old foes South Africa in their semi. Although some would say the South Africans have been playing below par, there is little doubt they will step up for the contest this weekend.
With Pocock and Folau set to return for the Wallabies this weekend, the Wallabies are showing their versatility. The Wallabies had lady luck on their side on Monday morning; let’s hope they can ride that luck all the way to the final. Will we see another epic Wallabies All Blacks final? – We will soon know. Another late night – early morning coming up for all the Union diehards and recently recruited fans.
ANOTHER WORLD CUP
WHILE the RWC action played out at Twickenham another World Cup was playing out closer to home. The Indoor Cricket Junior World Cup carnival is held every three years, and a young man with a strong local connection was proudly wearing the green and gold for Australia. Harry Curley grandson of the late Al and Margaret Cosmo of Pozieres was named wicket keeper in the Aussie side which played in the week-long tri national tournament against New Zealand and South Africa at Toombul. The event is held every three years and while the heady popularity of Indoor cricket in the 80s has waned, it remains a popular sport played at the International level. It complements the outdoor game with many youngsters playing both forms of the game. Sixteen teams compete across four divisions (under-18 boys, under-18 girls, under-16 boys and under-14 boys) with the hosts fielding both Australia and Australia A sides. The Australians made a clean sweep of the week-long tournament, winning all age groups.
Curley was one of five Queensland lads in the Australian side. All five have represented their state since playing Under 12s. With many players making the transition to the outdoor game, the local branch of the Cosmo family might become ardent cricket fans as this young man’s career blossoms.
PLENTY OF ACTION FOR MALLET ENTHUSIASTS
FOR those mallet sports enthusiasts playing in the Association Croquet competition, it was a series of very close singles played this week. Andrea Denkewitz scored a narrow 24-23 win over Val Richardson while Carol Verwey and Margaret Dickenson scored (21) to head off Heather Widderick and Effey Russel (18). Dickenson had two breaks of three in her score while Russel played the shot of the day, scoring the hoop from the border. Jenny Tunbridge and Grace Howard played well for their 18 only to be narrowly overcome by Pat Schnoor 19.
Hoop runners got their games underway at the earlier start time of 8.30am with team selections done by draw for the doubles and pairs games. Dianne Wren and Judy Lock played Elaine Brown and Shirley Page in the opening game. Lock and Brown combined well to eventually take out a tight game 13 – 11; both scored nine hoops and each scored a hoop in one.
The game between the team of Teresa Pine and Val Fancourt and Shirley Page and Bill Golding produced another close finish. Evans and Golding won 13-12 in a game where there was some very even scoring. Fancourt top scored with eight hoops.
After the break, some shuffling of teams was required with some players unable to play due to other commitments.
Shirley Evans drew to play two balls against Di Wren and Val Fancourt and was narrowly beaten 13 – 11. In this game, Evans scored a jump shot and both Wren and Fancourt a hoop in one.
In the remaining game, Golding and Brown defeated Pine and Page 13-8. Elaine Brown top scored in this game with nine hoop while Teresa shot a hole in one.
The Gateball group were keen to put into practice all they had been taught by Keith McLeod the previous week when they hit the greens and spent their first hour practising the different shots he had introduced before playing three games. Scores were close in all games as players enjoyed working with different tactics. Their next tournament will be held in Stanthorpe on 21/22 November.
RASCALS DOWN INGLEWOOD
AS LOCAL cricket in Stanthorpe took a back seat to the local race meeting last weekend, Warwick fixtures continued. Railway Hotel Rascals notched up a good win over their Inglewood rivals. Brad Johnson is in good form for the Rascals, posting 68 in Saturday’s game. It is the batsman’s second half century in as many games and his good form has much to do with the Rascals good start to the seasons having won two from three.
Rascals gave Inglewood a 163-run target to chase after batting first. In reply, Inglewood looked to be in control until the introduction of Liam Duncan into the attack. The late change bowler took 4/13 from just six overs as Inglewood were dismissed 22 runs short of the required total with nine overs remaining.
Meanwhile, at Slade Oval Maryvale Condamine continued their good form. Both teams were assured of an early finish after a fine bowling performance by David Walker restricted Sovereign Animals to a paltry score of 69. Walker had a great day with the ball taking 5/12 from his 10-over spell.
Maryvale were untroubled reaching the required total, thanks in part to a fine knock of 46 from youngster Pat Bourke who has also begun the season in scintillating from with bat and gloves.
