Young talent time at Rockhampton
RACING WITH Rockhampton’s Capricornia Yearling Sale fast approaching in April, it seems appropriate that most interest at today’s Callaghan Park races in Rockhampton will centre around, for want of a better term, “youth”.
Equine youth that is, in the $30,000 QTIS 2YO CL 2 (1100m) and the $36,200 QTIS Jewel 3YO Qualifier (1100m).
Visiting Townsville trainer Bill Kenning and Mackay’s Lyle Wright seemingly hold for the RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore).
“I had a look at his strike rate last year and it was about 122.
“In previous seasons we’ve seen him score at 170-180.”
In RCB’s final seven matches last year Gayle scored 0 (1), 0 (2), 8 (11), 7 (17), 48 (38) and was left out of two games as the franchise crashed to the IPL wooden spoon.
But after 101 matches in the IPL, Gayle’s strike rate remains an elite 151.2.
In 2011, he blasted two centuries, averaging 67.6 at a strike rate of 183.1.
“We didn’t target him at all,” Hodge said.
“We had other ambitions, but when a player like that came our way it was probably too hard to pass up.
“We did get him cheap – but that doesn’t mean he’s any less of a player.”
IF YOU LOOK AT THE COLD, HARD FACTS OF HIS NUMBERS IN THE IPL, THEY DON’T PAINT A PRETTY PICTURE FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS
the keys to the outcome of the juvenile race.
Kenning will start his unbeaten filly, the aptly named Flinders Highway, to be ridden by 1.5kg-claiming apprentice Rhiannon Payne.
Wright runs Cyclone Topgirl – a two times winner and runner-up to Flinders Highway on debut at Townsville on October 28.
In a four-horse field, the Capricornia Yearling Sales is represented by last year’s graduate, the Tom Button and Al Grimshaw-owned Ruby Georgie, who impressively won the lucrative Rockhampton Breeders’ Plate (1050m) at his first attempt on November 17 before resuming with a fighting second at Callaghan Park on January 25.
The other starter is Krystle Johnston-trained colt Craiglea Rubble, who is anything but a slouch judging by a Mackay win on December 14.
It makes for an enthralling race, particularly with senior jockeys Nathan Day aboard Cyclone Topgirl and Nigel Seymour on Ruby Georgie.
On arrival in Rockhampton yesterday, Kenning said: “My filly travelled well but it is, I suppose, a trial and error test for her in the Rocky race. She hasn’t been away from Cluden (Townsville) racing.”
The 3YO QTIS Jewel Qualifier (1100m) is an even more intriguing race.
Among its five starters is the record-breaking Rockhampton filly Paradis Imperial, only once out of the prizemoney in 18 starts.
Brisbane trainer Paul Butterworth (Wonder Boom) is quoted in a Queensland Racing website article saying “I can’t see him getting beaten”, which is a bold statement and an even bigger tip for punters.
Then there is Tom Button’s Wicked Express, who – under the light weight of 55.5kg – has a huge advantage with Nigel Seymour aboard.
The knockout could be Ross Shannon’s Astral Odyssey, who produced an amazing effort coming from the proverbial clouds with a flashing third to Wicked Express on debut.
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