Clifford Park’s stars
RACING: Four-year-old Amanaat capped his gallant rise night when he was named Toowoomba Horse of the Year for the 2017-18 racing year on Saturday night.
Amanaat was amongst a list of Toowoomba racing industry achievers and contributors recognised at this year’s UBET Toowoomba Turf Club Racing Awards.
The gelding’s award win added to another dominant Queensland season for Ben Currie who was the club’s premier trainer for a second successive year.
Currie’s record 12 months saw him also share the Clifford Park Strike Rate Trainer of the Year with Steve Tregea.
Amanaat racked up eight season wins including his Listed Audi Centre Weetwood Handicap victory at Clifford Park in April.
He overcame a life-threatening facial injury, sustained in a barrier mishap at Doomben in April, to score his latest win at Doomben in July.
Toowoomba gelding General Cos was named Clifford Park Premiership Horse Of the Year on the back of his successful home-track season.
Nozi Tomizawa fulfilled a long-held career goal to claim his first Clifford Park Jockey of the Year title while Baylee Nothdurft overcame a year severely disrupted by injury and suspension to finish champion Clifford Park apprentice.
Mishani Enterprises took out both the Premiership and
Strike Rate Owner of the Year Award.
Havran, from the Ken Jones stable, won the Bookmakers’ Award for his long-priced Clifford Park victory in July.
Toowoomba racing stalwart Neil Mansell took out this year’s Industry Contributor award.
Toowoomba club CEO Blair Odgers Mansell’s paid tribute to Mansell.
“Neil Mansell is a true friend of racing, the Toowoomba Turf Club and sport in general,” Odgers said.
“It was only fitting that Neil was recognised for his incredible generosity, support and love of our sport.”