Mr Chow in quality form
RACING: Toowoomba fiveyear-old Mr Chow continued to make the most of his career reprieve to deliver supporters another popular victory at Clifford Park on Saturday night.
Mr Chow ($3.10) made it two wins from his three latest starts with a strong front-running performance in the Neil Mansell Transport Class 4 Handicap (1300m).
The Commands gelding kicked clear on straightening after being pressured to the home turn by Show ‘em ($2.50 fav) to set up a three-length victory for apprentice Leah Kilner over solid-finishing I Am The Warrior ($19).
Calypso Bay ($16) was another 33⁄4 lengths back third.
Mr Chow’s recent surge of good form has proved timely with his position at Currie Racing previously on shaky ground.
“He was very close to being on the chopping block a while ago, but he’s really turned the corner since,” Currie said.
“He’s flying at the moment and has been a bit unlucky not to have won a couple more along the way.
“He was taken off the track here last start before finishing second to General Cos and he was just beaten here by Prioritise a few runs back who has won two in town and raced well in Sydney since.
“Show ‘em is no slouch and he put it to him early so he was there to be beaten by something from the back but he didn’t give them a look in.
“There might even be a suitable race for him on a Saturday in town the way he is going at the moment.”
Toowoomba sprinter Bonsho spelt out his credentials for an upcoming home-track feature assignment with a booming return to winning form for trainer Tony Sears.
Bonsho ($2.80 fav) showed his liking for a return to Saturday’s assignment from tougher city company with a barrierto-box performance in the Toowoomba Region Roses Prelude 2 Benchmark 75 Handicap (1110m).
The five-year-old had 31⁄2 lengths to spare at the post from Sweet Repeat ($10) for apprentice Michael Schrapel.
Ol’ Brown Eyes ($8) was 11⁄4 lengths away third.
The first three placegetters from the race are exempt from ballot in the $25,000 Roses Final Benchmark 80 Handicap (1200m) at Clifford Park on Sunday, September 23.
Beaudesert five-year-old Escapado ($2.60 fav) proved there is a race waiting to be won somewhere for all horses when he broke through for his first victory in the Morgan’s Plumbing Maiden Handicap (1870m) at start number 28 for his trainer Marcus Wilson and jockey Josh Oliver.
Photo: Nev Madsen