Patience pays dividends for Sunny Coast trainer
RACING: Patience and persistence was finally rewarded for Sunshine Coast trainer Wendy Bannerot when well-travelled seven-year-old Alaska delivered her a hard-earned Clifford Park victory on Saturday.
The one-time Peter Snowden stable member cracked it for his first win in almost two years with an all-the-way effort for 3kg apprentice Nathan Fazackerley in the Queensland Water Services Benchmark 62 Handicap (1200m).
Alaska ($16) dug in deep over the final 150m to outlast Black Crusade ($9.50) by a half neck with consistent Mac’s Boy ($10) another 3⁄4 length back third.
Bannerot has earned a reputation of successfully rehabilitating problem gallopers and Alaska had his first run for the stable last October coming off a 15-month break.
Alaska’s previous win was at Swan Hill in June 2017 and the Medaglia d’Oro gelding had eight starts for Bannerot before finally breaking through on Saturday for what was his sixth career victory from 42 runs.
“He’s had a few problems to overcome but it’s nice to see him get going again,” Bannerot said.
“That win will help him gain a bit of confidence.
“It’s good to seen him win for Nathan as well.
“Nathan’s apprenticed to me but is currently on loan to Mel Eggleston with my numbers down a little bit at the moment.
“He rides well and hopefully this win can help him gain a little bit of winning momentum.”
Short-price punters helped themselves to a smorgasbord of winners when the Ben Currie stable unleashed with four successive mid-meeting victories.
Currie added to his Saturday Gold Coast Stakes victory by Mishani Vaidra ($6.50) with wins from debutant King’s Lady ($1.60), Want To Bolt ($1.55), Eight Over ($1.28) and Namib ($3.50).
Eight Over completed a hattrick of Clifford Park victories with an all-the-way performance for apprentice Nick Keal in the Excel Electrical/Solar/AC Benchmark 70 Handicap (1050m).
RACE MOVED
The $200,000 QTIS ThreeYear-Old Jewel has been transferred to Eagle Farm this Saturday following its cancellation at the Gold Coast on the weekend.
With steady rain downgrading the track to a heavy 10 after race six, stewards made the decision to abandon the final three races on the card due to visibility concerns.
The Jewel will be run midprogram at Eagle Farm, with the scheduled Class 4 Plate (2200m) transferred to the Sunshine Coast next Sunday.
The current field for the Jewel will remain in place with scratchings reinstated.
The Listed Goldmarket Handicap has been re-scheduled to the Gold Coast next Saturday with fresh nominations to be taken today.