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FEATURE : SPRINT RACING SEASON IN THE NORTH
On 7th September Normanton held their annual Rodeo and Race Meeting with all up prizemoney of $ 20,000 across the board for the sprints . The major races , the Classic , worth $ 7,500 and the Normanton Cup were won by Mr Hanky Panky with Jock Connelly on board .
14th September saw it all happening at Richmond where John Wharton and his committee had the grounds and track in immaculate condition A five race program featured the 4th running of the Merrie Elliott Breeders Cup posting prizemoney of $ 20,000 . This concept was the brainchild of Allan Sullivan and modeled on similar events that were successfully running in USA . It involved a lot of long term planning and of course numerous hiccups along the way .
8 horses fronted up for this race . The winner was Sullivans Fleetwood ( Wagon Tales USA ) owned and trained by Tony Smith and ridden by Cheryl Bethel . In second place was Sullivans Maid ( Sullivans Rocket ) owned by Dennis Mann and trained and ridden by Lee Bowker while third was Sullivans Eyesa Cat ( eyesa Special USA ) owned by Jody Murray , trained by Lee Bowker and ridden by Miranda Shepherd .
Tony Smith had set out with Fleetwood from his base in Albury on the Victorian / NSW border 8 days before the race . 800 ks into the journey he met with an accident at Bourke . Refusing an ambulance , this determined 73 year old turned around and drove 800 km back to his home . A couple of days later he and Fleetwood set off again for Richmond , arriving a day before the races . Fleetwood was entered in the first race of the day , the Progressive over 320 metres . With Cheryl Bethel in the saddle she won this ahead of Ashley Gallagher ’ s Sullivans Hollywood in ridden by Emmy Gallagher , followed by Sensational Secretary ( Eyesa Sensation ) ridden and trained by Lee Bowker for Dennis Mann .
Fleetwood and Cheryl Bethel then fronted up to win the Breeders Cup later in the day – she might have looked a bit gaunted up after 3700 kms but the determined mare was full of run .
The Maiden carried prizemoney of $ 5000 and was won by Sullivans Gotcha Tale ridden by Kyle Sharpe . His owner / trainer Paul Edwards has been a long time stalwart of the northern sprint racing scene and has had some champion runners in that time . Paul has won the Mailman Express times . Hudson ran second to in this race for owner Lee Chappell and ridden by trainer Lee Bowker . In third place was Packer Too for owner / trainer Lee Bowker and ridden by Lee ’ s 17 year old son Billy , having his first season on the track .
The third race was a bit of a innovation . It was over 360 metres and restricted to Thoroughbred horses . 3 horses contested this which was won by just a love song .
The final race of the day , the Novice 360 m was won by Sullivans Hollywood ( Wagon Tales USA ) for owner / trainer Ashley Gallagher and ridden by Emmy Gallagher . Second place was Likea Rockchic for owner / trainer / jockey Cheryl Bethel , who had earlier ridden Fleetwood in both her victories . Third spot was Sullivans Eyesa Cat for owner Jody Murry and Lee Bowker / trainer / Jockey .
A little story behind the win of Hollywood - he had arrived the previous day with the Ashley Gallagher family after a 600 km trip from Sawtell Creek . His Jockey , Emmy Gallagher , had injured her hand in an incident just prior to the start .
Hollywood was led into the barrier for Emmy to mount . Ashley noticed his daughter flinching from pain and gave her some fatherly advice “ Its only 20 seconds – suck it up and go and win ” and Emmy did just that . Hollywood is a small horse who Ashley describes as ‘ the total package ’ for when he is not racing he is out mustering , he is roped off and he runs a mean barrel race and despite his lack of size carries Ashleys 100kg all day .
Australian Quarter Horse Association - www . aqha . com . au