Colt’s bolt home at Dalby sign of promise
Apprentice Sally Sweeney believes better things could await Redex down the track after the Toowoomba colt delivered her a belated 21st birthday present at Bunya Park on Saturday.
Redex and Sweeney combined for a strong-finishing win in the Warrego Water Plate Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1000m).
The $2.40 favourite downed first starter Fair Set ($26) by a length with another outsider Taabinga ($101) running home solidly to be a long neck back third.
Sweeney had partnered Redex in his previous debut run at Warwick where he finished third behind short-priced favourite Pardoe.
But a cleaner jump and race experience proved the key to Redex’s second-up performance which left Sweeney impressed.
“The horse showed his true colours today,” said Sweeney who turned 21 on Friday.
“He jumped a bit better today and wasn’t quite as green.
“I had a lot of horse under me.
“He was really strong today and I think he might have a good future.”
Sweeney’s success on Redex was her second in the space of three days for trainer Michael Nolan after the duo combined to win with impressive debutant Explosive Belle at Clifford Park on Thursday.
“Michael Nolan has given me good support since I arrived in Toowoomba and it’s nice to be able repay that by riding winners for the stable,” Sweeney said.
Meanwhile Fellow Toowoomba apprentice Nick Keal celebrated a milestone day when he booted home his first provincial winner since recently having his country license upgraded.
Keal’s moment arrived aboard first starter Stryke That ($17) who finished gamely to down Mrs Monashee ($9.50) for trainer Matt Kropp in the Black Toyota Maiden Plate (1000m).
Nanango combination Glenn Richardson and Hannah English finished with the major spoils at the 105th Dalby Amateur Picnic Race Club meeting after combining for a race-to-race double.
The trainer-apprentice team opened its account when Flying Charger ($8) downed Glenthorn Avenue ($8) in the Port Of Brisbane Open Handicap (1400m).
Five-year-old Klammer ($5.50) capped the pair’s day when he made it two Bunya Park starts for two wins with a strong-finishing effort in the Carlton Mid Open Handicap (1000m) to down Invitto ($5) by two lengths.