Coolmunda cruises home to seal Clifford Park win
RACING: There was double cause for celebration at Clifford Park on Saturday when a newly formed racing team tasted victory with in-form Oakey mare Coolmunda.
Coolmunda ($5) made it booming back-to-back Clifford Park victories with a hard-finishing win for apprentice Baylee Nothdurft in the Northbuild Construction Class 3 Plate (1300m).
She arrived late to down Haylee Prince ($61) by 11⁄2 lengths with race leader Splitz ($3) and $1.70 race favourite dead-heating for third, a further long head back.
The four-year-old’s slashing performance presented Patrick Sexton and Mitch Fry with success on their first day training together in partnership. “That’s just great,” Sexton said.
“I’m so pleased for Mitch. He’s really excited, and it’s terrific to see the mare back up her last win here last start like that again today.
“She really has come along in leaps and bounds.
“We’ve been working on forming a partnership for about six months now.
“There is a fair few working in partnership these days and I think it’s a good way to go.
“We’ve put a lot of thought into it and we’ve come up with a good team with dad (Peter) at the top.
“Dad takes a bit of a back seat but it’s always good to have his experience and knowledge there for us to call on.
“Mitch has been with our family since he was 15 and has spent time with Matt Kropp as well.
“He’s a part of the family and is really keen to do well.”
Toowoomba mare Love And Lies ($11) completed a good training performance by Jennifer Williams to upset her rivals in the Happy 50th Birthday Balke Benchmark 70 Handicap (1000m).
Love And Lies returned from a 10-month spell to down $1.50 favourite Pieridae by two lengths for jockey Bek Williams.
The Red Dazzler sevenyear-old motored home her final 600 metres in 34.11 seconds to score by two lengths in class record time.
■ GATTON trainer Brenton Andrew pocketed his second December feature race victory on Saturday when Snuggle Pot added to his winning trot with her victory in the Jeff Hannaford Texas Cup (1200m).
Snuggle Pot ($4.60) scored by a length for jockey Cecily Eaton from Toowoomba gelding Tycoon Zip ($8) with Medal Afrique ($4) a half length back third.
Andrew scored a career highlight the previous Saturday when Baker Boy took out the 2018 Country Cups Challenge Race at Doomben.