All smiles . . . connections of Skirmish following his big win at Bathurst last Wednesday.
THE NSW Standardbred Owners Association came to The Group One Feeds Paceway (Bathurst) meeting on Wednesday hopeful of giving away $7,000 in bonus prizemoney but had to settle for just $4,000 when three races were won by non-members.
And to further demonstrate the worth of a modest $50 annual membership to any “non believers”, the Association reps on hand to present the rugs and bonus cheques, Peter and Marie Neil, scored a double with their own runners, and so collected $2,000 in bonuses as their reward.
Mixed feelings - some disappointment, as well as a good measure of personal satisfaction - to occupy their thoughts on the return trip back over the mountains?
The double came with Skirmish in the fast-class, and debutant Enk Spot Shannon in a C0 sprint . Both are part of their Rayngold team trained at Bathurst by Peter Bullock.
Skirmish ($1.90 favourite) led from the get-go, and withstood plenty of mid-race pressure when Intransit came around to the death seat at the bell. He looked vulnerable when I'm Cool Harry popped out of the trail and issued a strong challenge turning for home, but showed real determination to hold that horse at bay to score by a half-neck, the night’s closest margin.
It maintained the resurgence in his form - twice a winner and three placings from five starts since resuming- after a mystery sickness last year that almost ended his career, and which could never be identified.
“He’s back to his best,” driver Mat Rue commented on returning, “ and his best quality is his toughness. He might have won by a very narrow margin, but I can tell you, he would have fought that horse for another half a lap if he had to, and maintained it.”
Enk Spot Shannon ($6.70), which led throughout for Mackayler Barnes, is a contrast in every respect to his stablemate .
He’s a wee little fellow, about half the size of the Kiwi import Skirmish, and a homebred, by Million Dollar Cam from another Rayngold runner Tassie Shannon, which did most of her racing in the Tamworth area when trained by the Enks family, hence the punned name.
Mackayler Barnes, even more delighted than usual by a horse that she does all the work with in the stable. Is looking forward to maintaining the association with him. He seems a foolproof pacer, and his prospects look good.
The other two NSWSOA $1,000 win bonuses came in the opening races, for Lucky Iffy in C2-backed conditioned class, and What A Jolt in another C2 class, for local trainers.
Lucky Iffy ($7.30, Emma Turnbull for her mum Wendy, also the lucky owner) raced towards the tail of the field before trekking three-wide at the entrance to the back straight, and joined leader Head And Shoulders and death-seating stablemate Bustling Barnes at the top of the straight, before maintaining her run right to the line for a well-deserved win.
What A Jolt ($1.60 favourite, John O’Shea for trainer and part-owner Lester Hewitt) led from the pole and controlled the race throughout, bursting clear at the 400 metres and running home in a 27.6 seconds quarter that left Panther Star and Punters Delight well behind. It was a welcome return to form for the four-year-old who showed promise in a handful of starts last season.
Amanda Turnbull got a training/driving double, with mares Eliza Dushku NZ ($2.40 in a C1 sprint) and Quaint Glen NZ ($1.60 favourite in a C4-backed sprint), both leading all the way to score successive wins at the track.
The latter mare showed a touch of class in slipping home in 27.5seconds, and looked as though she could possibly go faster.
Bernie Hewitt scored in the other C0 on the card with stable debutant Little Bit Dusty ($6.30 ) who justified some very strong support by leading throughout from the pole. His trainer advised connections that the newcomer won’t be embarking on a new career as a riding horse for a little while yet!
The NSW Standardbred Owners Association will be holding its annual Awards Night at Club Menangle on Saturday November 11.
