Doubles all the go at Bathurst

13 March 2018 | Terry Neil
Logo
Another win for Team Teal - McKayler Barnes drove Shannonstheman to victory at Bathurst on the eve of International Women's Day.

Another win for Team Teal - McKayler Barnes drove Shannonstheman to victory at Bathurst on the eve of International Women's Day.

FATHER and son duo John and Todd McCarthy enjoyed the trip over the mountains to their former hometown when scoring a double at Bathurst Gold Crown Paceway last Wednesday.

Blazin N Cullen NZ was the narrowest of winners in a dramatic 2260 metres fast-class event, and Lifeonthebeach posted near-class record time in an easy C0 win later in the evening.

The earlier win came in a race of many changes, most notably in the closing stages.

Conviction led from his inside gate for most of the first lap, until McCarthy forged to the front with the $500,000-winning Cullen gelding at the 1600 metres point, with Nathan Turnbull then moving Parramatta NZ to the death seat as they reached the bell.

The pace had steadily increased with those moves, but quickened markedly down the back the final time - the third quarter a blistering 27.0s - as Parramatta applied sustained pressure to the leader.

Halfway round the home turn, It looked very much like a Parramatta home win, the local drawing clear as Blazin N Cullen appeared to weaken and lose ground.

But after they had straightened for the run in, yet another change came over the race. McCarthy’s horse seemed to pick up the bit again, chewing into that decent lead of Parramatta, and the two of them settled down to a good old-fashioned stoush, with Blazin N Cullen getting up right on the line, the margin a head.

The final quarter of 28.8s brought up a mile rate of 1:57.5 for a most engrossing contest.

“He’s a cunning old fellow,” observed Todd McCarthy at the presentation. “He doesn’t like to run flat out on the bends, but once we straightened, I was actually quite confident that he’d get going again and we weren’t out of it. He came very fast at the end, and I thought we might have just got there.”

Spare a thought for the Parra punters, who had been counting their winnings, only to lose in what could be described as golden point extra time!

Lifeonthebeach came from mid-field with a storming run down the centre of the track for a decisive win in his C0 sprint win, the Somebeach three-year-old making it three wins from his six starts this term.

A $50,000 buy at the Melbourne APG Sale in 2016, he’s developing into a smart type this season, though his driver believes he’s not quite ready yet to match it with the best of his age group.

Several other doubles from the meeting deserve mention.

Steve Turnbull extended his premiership margin with a training double, courtesy of Cherry Mahoney (Nathan Turnbull), a well-deserved win in an M1-backed conditioned class, and Art Series, which he reined to an impressive win in a 3YO sprint, her 1:54.7 run just a tenth of a second off the 3YO track record of Sams The Master.

The 2017 Breeders Challenge Regional winner at two, she’s from class mare Sheezallattitude, a $250,000 winner whose many wins included a Gold Tiara heat back in 2010.

With the Teal Pants promotion in its final few days, and on the eve of International Women’s  Day, it was quite appropriate that lady drivers took out the opening races.

McKayler Barnes and the Peter Bullock-trained Shannonstheman sustained a searching three-wide run from the half-mile to score in the C1 conditioned sprint that opened proceedings, with racecaller Craig Easey judging her effort as his Drive of the Night.

Amanda Turnbull, behind brother Nathan’s My Bettor Bella NZ, scored an equally tough win  in the 2260 metres C2-C3 second event, sitting outside the in-form Trilight Brigade NZ and proving just a shade too strong in a very impressive effort.

The win by Shannonstheman was particularly timely, given the announcement earlier in the week that his Rayngold P/L owners,Peter and Marie Neil, have been selected by the Bathurst HRC as the 2018 Gold Crown Honourees. They will be inducted at the Mayoral Dinner on Tuesday, March 27.

The final race supplied the meeting with a matching Gold Crown book-end, when Astride (Robbie Morris for Kerryann Turner) dictated terms in a 2260 metres C1 class, dashing home in a 55.8s last half, while looking to have something still up his sleeve.

It was the first-up run for his new stable for the 2016 Crown winner (and 2017 Chalice runner-up), with his driver quietly confident about his prospects in a number of good races they have in mind for him.

Bernie Hewitt and the connections of Bettor Sport will be hoping for a similar result this year. The Sportswriter gelding made it two wins from four starts with a tough effort from the death in a 2YO sprint, with a sharp 57.4 final half.

With approximately 140 two-year-olds paid up for this year’s Crown and Tiara, well up on last year’s total, it’s no surprise to see four 2YO races set down for this Wednesday’s race meeting.

It’s the final one before the carnival gets underway, and affords many of these eligible youngsters the opportunity to gain the obligatory race experience.

Bring it on.

By Terry Neil

 

Related News

19 September 2024
Burning Questions: Milesy, Ants and Andy team up with TOC
David Miles, Anthony Butt and Andy Gath teamed up with Tim O’Connor on Burning Questions for a close look at Saturday night’s metro meeting from Melton Entertainment Park. The agenda: Ravishing returned with a bang, but can he repeat the dose against this gang? Ants' mare has class on her...
19 September 2024
GOODFORM - Bronte's game plan for Thursday at Ballarat
Bronte Nieuwenburg has outlined her selections and suggested game plan for tonight's big nine-race card at Ballarat.
19 September 2024
Make Your Mark – Hobart, 22 September
Last year’s Premiership-winning driver Mark Yole is back with a regular column to provide insight on his weekend drives. This weekend sees racing in Hobart on Sunday night. Race 1 – Soho Undertaker: A very lightly raced horse who is still learning his craft. I think we have just about got...
19 September 2024
Van Ryn banks on Tooby Gold's grit for Heidi George Classic glory
David Van Ryn has his sights set on etching Tooby Gold’s name on the honour roll of the Heidi George Classic for 2024 ahead of her heat appearance on Sunday at Echuca. The series was set up by Dr Kath McIntosh from Llowalong Farms for mid-class pacing mares, last year’s inaugural series was...
19 September 2024
Swayzee brings star power to Parkes for Carnival of Cups opener
New Zealand Cup hero Swayzee brings his star power to the Carnival of Cups when the 2024/25 series gets underway at Parkes on Friday night. Building on the huge success of last year's revamped Harness Racing NSW Carnival of Cups, the series will feature five big events over the coming months with...
Click for more