Julie Maughan's Race Meeting Report Wednesday 14th January 2015

Nathan Hurst is out to make the most of the Tamworth Country Music atmosphere, especially if he continues on his winning way after taking out The Pub Group sponsored Gold Nugget, with Major Gambler.

Hurst, who trains his team at Eglinton, just outside of Bathurst, drove Major Gambler to a thrilling win in the $8000 feature which included a Gold Nugget as the winning trophy on the opening night of the three day race carnival.

“I will have to go for a drink now at one of The Pub Groups venues” joked Hurst after the win.

“He is a horse who always runs into places in big races and he is not really a lucky horse but we had luck tonight” said Hurst.

“He just had the perfect spot and the perfect run. I got out in time” said Hurst.

Major Gambler had a short half head win over race favourite Millwood Liberty (Mark Callaghan) and Queensland pacer Katesaroyal (Brendan Barnes) from the Bart Cockburn stables, 3.8 metres away third.

Nathan Hurst had a pearler at the opening meeting of the Carnival when he drove three winners on the nine event card with Tangles taking out the opening event, The Pub Group Tamworth Competitive Stakes, Kyalla Dave in the Bushwacker’s Pace as well as Major Gambler in the Gold Nugget.

With a huge Country Music festival on at the same time in Tamworth, this is the third year that Nathan Hurst has attended the Tamworth Carnival and after taking in a few concerts over the week will nominate Major Gambler for the $12,000 Garrard’s Horse and Hound Tamworth City Cup on Friday 23rd as well as looking to have a runner in the $25,000 Golden Guitar Final and hopefully a contender in the $15,000 Nevelle R Stud Starmaker Three Year Old Pace.

 

Len Simon has broken his drought after training and driving Williewa Spirit to a win at the opening meeting of the Tamworth HRC Carnival.

Williewa Spirit gave Simon’s his first win as both a trainer and a reinsman in just over seven years in taking out The Pub Pace (1980m) on Gold Nugget race night.

Simon, who is aged 70, had his last win on Ger Ronimo at Tamworth back in June 2007.

 “It gave me a big thrill” said Simon of the win “I was 70 last November and to win at the Carnival was good”

Punters were happy as well with the win of the Nikalong Shadow-Pocket Chip 12 y.o. gelding who returned $79.20 for the win.

“I thought one day the horse would win another race for me and he would be at long odds” said Simon “and I did think time was getting away, but he has been working so well”

Williewa Spirit, who notched his last win at Bathurst in June 2011, had a 3.4 meter win over Bluechipboy (Nathan Carroll) and Lonesome Mach (Stacey Weidemann) 9.6 meters away third.

Simon, who has just had a recent stint in hospital, spoke of the help he had received from fellow trainer and neighbour, Barry Schipp.

 “I use to work the horses on their own and then after I came out of hospital last time, and Barry had retired, I have been taking the horses to his track and they have had the opportunity to race against each other” said Simon.

“The way the horse (Williewa Spirit) is going now I don’t think he wants to retire” Simon said “My granddaughter wants the horse to ride when I am finished with him”

What was excitement at the win of Williewa Spirit nearly turned to ecstasy when stablemate Corbin Lee was also close to a win, which would have seen Simon having his first winning double in a very long time, but it was not to be when the Real Desire-No Change gelding was beat a head by Illtelyawat (Peter Missen) in the Bill Chambers Competitive Stakes.

Corbin Lee paid $32.80 for the place.

“A little bit further and I would have won it” said Simon. “The horse has been going really well but getting bad draws. He is more a sit and sprint horse”

 

Burning Ambition has certainly been paying her way since returning from a spell adding another win to her portfolio in taking out The Longyard Hotel Pace.

The Bettors Delight-Ohoka Moon mare has had three starts back from a spell which included a win at Maitland on January 3 and then the win at Tamworth with a 1.6 metre win over the Craig Clegg trained The Muse (Maddie Bond) and Mitrhys Magic (Anthony Varga) 3.4 metres away third.

“This is her third run back and it was a good win” said Chapple “I think she (Burning Ambition) is a pretty fair mare” added Chapple.

“I will be back for the finals night, we will have a look at a race for her”

 

Cockys Fancy had a 4.2 metre win over Kyalla Luke (Nathan Hurst) and I Want Candy (Chris Shepherdson) 4.1 metres away third in The Family Hotel Pace (1980m).

With Julie Weidemann breeding Cockys Fancy (Blissfull Hall-Kobnko), getting it to the paceway and then racing may have been a big job, but the effort has produced four wins for the bay mare with Lola Weidemann handling the reins.

“Julie has done a great job. It’s a big achievement” said Lola Weidemann with Cockys Fancy having 23 starts for 4 wins and 12 placings.

“She (Cockys Fancy) is just learning. She was taking little steps but now the steps are getting bigger” added Lola.

 

Shine On Wicklow had an impressive 16.8 metre win in the Southgate Inn Competitive Stakes (1609m) with a mile rate of 2.00.8.

Raced by Steve Rivers and Sue Coulton, Shine On Wicklow is trained at Tamworth by Ernie Mabbott.

“She has always shown a lot of ability” said reinsman Anthony Varga after the win “she has won a couple of nice races now and was a bit unlucky last start but tonight she was the best horse”

Cody Shannon (Sam Ison) finished second to Shine On Wicklow and Hurrysound (Brendan Barnes) third.

“That race would have topped the mare off nice” said Varga with the win coming at Shine On Wicklow’s second start back from a spell.

 

Dubbo pacer Remember Kaiser kept his winning form in shape at Tamworth having his third win from three starts on the paceway – and his only three career wins – in taking out the Stuie French Pickers Pace (1609m).

The win on Wednesday night was just as impressive as his win at Tamworth back on January 4.

“He is a nice consistent horse” said reinsman Madison Reynolds with the Major In Art-Lombo Secrets gelding trained by Brett Pay who has produced three wins and two placings from seven starts from the 3yo.

With Ghost Gum (Lola Weidemann) and Artistic Double (David Munsie) having a dual Remember Kaiser came around the duo as they turned into the home straight on the final occasion to come away for a 2.3 metre win over Artistic Double and Ghost Gum a half head away third.

“I am pretty happy with how the race panned out” said Reynolds “He is in the heats on Sunday so we will see how good a job he does then”

Remember Kaiser will contests the first heat of the Nevelle R Stud Changeover Star Maker for Three Year Olds after clocking 1.59.6 for 1609 metres with the latest win.

 

Illtelyawat has finally made it into the winners circle, and it was not from lack of trying for owners Kevin Ward and Bill Barraclough from Uralla.

“I thought we had got up” said reinsman Peter Missen “he decided when he wanted to go”

Illtelyawat had to fight for the win in the Bill Chambers Competitive Stakes and held on for a head win over Corbin Lee (Len Simon) and El Kay Grand (Guy Chappel) another head away third.

Illtelyawat has had nine starts this season for the win and two placings and paid $12.60 for the win and is now trained by Tony Missen at Tamworth.

Julie Maughan