IN his popular column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published in the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer, TERRY BUTTS, reports on the return to the Cups spotlight by veteran trainer Errol Sewell with a former star Sydneysider.
He also reveals how the Townsville Turf Club is confident of enticing retired training supremo Peter Moody to be Ambassador of their Cup this Winter Carnival.
Here is the Butt’s column:
TIMELY RETURN TO THE SPOTLIGHT IN THE NORTH FOR ERROL SEWELL
ERROL Sewell is one of the best known and longest serving trainers in Queensland – certainly the northern region.
He has enjoyed success in all the big races, and for a long period he and his son (jockey Darin) were virtually unstoppable at Cluden. They simply ruled.
Just like the weather, there have been some dry patches for the native of Charters Towers, especially since Party King went to pasture after putting together three Townsville Cups – a feat that is unlikely to be equaled.
But the tide, as it inevitably does, has turned.
They say you can’t keep a good man down forever – and a big raw-boned neddy named Mountain View is well on the way to putting the Sewell stable back under lights.
He arrived from Sydney where had contested races like the 2014 AJC Derby (behind Criterion) and a close fourth in the Tulloch Stakes etc., just before our carnivals last year.
He immediately drew the serious attention of the local racing folk with a couple of smart wins in restricted class company and has returned for the upcoming winter carnival in just the fettle his astute trainer would have hoped – and no doubt planned.
His first-up run against some smart sprinters last month was exceptional and last Thursday he overcame a lot of difficulties to win at Cluden and graduate to Open Company. He has now won four and placed second in his last six local starts.
There is no doubt the strapping big bay which races in the familiar black and white hoops of the famous Ingham-based Sheehan family will be seeking riches in the feature Cups in the coming weeks.
It is equally fitting that Frank Edwards, who has been at the forefront of northern riding ranks for many, many years, has reunited with the Sewell stable – at least for this particular star.
Case of two old stalwarts together and there should not be one in our midst who would begrudge them their new found fame and fortune.
REGISTRAR NOT PUSSY-FOOTING AROUND WITH NAME OF THIS NEDDY
THE Registrar of Racehorses has been contacted and the austere body says it doesn’t have a problem with the name of that Maiden horse from the Cairns area that has a few talking.
It has been baptised (for its racing days at least) Nova China.
Nothing wrong with that... until you say it quickly.
And, yes it IS a gelding!
TOWNSVILLE WANTS PETER MOODYTO BE AMBASSADOR OF THEIR CUP
THE Townsville Turf Club is chasing Peter Moody to be their Ambassador of the Cup carnival this year.
‘Moods’ has already indicated an interest and the TTC hope to finalise an agreement sometime next week. That’s after the club has finalised important sponsorships for a few of the major races over the winter carnival that kicks off in July.
Actually the NQ winter carnival had its dress rehearsal at Rockhampton last week when the Tattersall’s Club staged its annual. And the Kevin Hansen-trained mare Outback Saga took the sprint in a highly impressive manner. It was her fifth win on end and had the Rocky Newmarket smothered all over here.
AND on Saturday the Mackay season kicks off with the Amateurs – once a big two-day fixture that drew crowds and horses from all over. Interest is in the WFA sprint in which local star Daph ‘n’ Alf looks ideally placed under the scale but there is an enormous tip for Sporting Page, formerly trained by Paddy Donnollan and now in the astute hands of Russell Adair.
COLUMN COURTESY OF TERRY BUTTS AND THE NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, one of Australia's leading rural newspapers.
TERRY BUTTS can be contacted by e-mailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..