Rhiatenn Road returns to the winner’s list in style
Resilient Toowoomba mare Rhiatenn Road brightened up a gloomy Clifford Park afternoon for her supporters on Saturday after steaming back into the winner’s list.
The nine-year-old confirmed she’d lost little of her zest for racing when she overpowered her rivals for career win number eight in The Apricity Invoice Finance Benchmark 65 Handicap (1300m).
She downed I Am The Warrior ($13) by a long neck for jockey Nozi Tomizawa while Canny Excel ($12) did best of the rest, 13⁄4 lengths back third.
Rhiatenn Road put the writing on the wall for an upcoming win with a close-up fifth behind stablemate Puff’s Girl when resuming in a classy Clifford Park Benchmark 70 Handicap line-up two weeks earlier.
Winning trainer Kevin Kemp, who prepares Rhiatenn Road for owners Tony and Julie Murray, attributed the mare’s longevity and performance to attitude.
Saturday’s race was her 61st career start.
Her consistent efforts have also been rewarded
with 17 minor placings.
“She’s a good mare who’s just in a really good place,” Kemp said.
“She loves racing and puts in all the time.
“She’s probably going as well as she ever has.
“Her first-up run in a good race here a couple of weeks ago was excellent and with the aid of a good ride by Nozi she’s been able to do the job today.”
Roma Cup victory
TOOWOMBA trainer Ben Currie added a country feature success to his 2017 booty haul when Gully Command toughed out a Royal On 99/Roma Explorers Inn Roma Cup (1640m) win at Bassett Park on Saturday.
Gully Command ($3.60) prevailed in a slogging finish for jockey Anthony Allen to down $26 outsider Palace Tycoon by 3⁄4 length.
Congelator ($5.50) was 51⁄4 lengths back in third place while $3.20 cup favourite Rhyme Nor Rhythm finished midfield.
Currie ended the day with a two-track winning double after debutant Mishani Krishna ($6) raced to an upset victory in the Audi Centre Toowoomba QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (870m).
Mishani Krishna held out Grand de Lago ($8) to score by a half length with another first starter, Monsoon Sky ($12), 51⁄2 lengths back third.
Favourite backers were left licking their wounds after $1.50 chance Holdin’ My Own took no competitive part in the event.
She suffered a slipped saddle in an awkward jump and began bucking shortly after the start.