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By Leona Welburn
Toowoomba Turf Club
Toowoomba celebrates 125 years
The Toowoomba Turf Club (TTC) will celebrate its 125th anniversary this year.
The historic club, one of the oldest in the State has always operated from its base at Clifford Park.
The Clifford Park Racecourse was acquired as a 160-acre block in 1861 and the first meeting on it was conducted by the Darling Downs Jockey Club at the course then known as Drayton and Toowoomba Racecourse on March 6,1862.
In 1882, the Toowoomba Turf Club was formed and conducted its first meetings on June 3 and 4 that year.
Club Chairman Neville Stewart said the TTC was looking forward to its celebration year when racing highlights will again include the historic double of the Toowoomba Cup and the Weetwood Handicap.
The TTC will also stage a number of high stakes events including the Magic Millions Trophy, QRSE Carlton Draught Trophy Quality Handicap (fillies and mares) and the Fitton Insurance Hopeful Plate.
Neville Stewart said: “The Toowoomba Turf Club prides itself on its great position in Queensland racing.
“The fact that the Club is still in existence after 125 years and going from strength to strength is testimony that the club is in the heart of the Queensland breeding industry. This is what has ensured the Toowoomba Turf Club strength to grow.
“The horses are the oxygen of the club and Toowoomba to Queensland is like Lexington to Kentucky.”
The TTC will be holding anniversary celebrations during June and these details will be available on www.toowoombaturfclub.com shortly.
Foolish to target Weetwood
The dual stakes winner Foolish will almost certainly target the Listed 2007 Carlton Draught Weetwood Handicap at Clifford Park.
The Toowoomba Turf Club officials have released dates for the $150,000 Weetwood, which will be contested on March 22.
Again the winner of the 2007 Weetwood Pelude will be exempt from the Weetwood ballot.
The Mark Webb stable has admitted the Weetwood will be on the agenda for Foolish, which returned to racing in Brisbane late last year after a lengthy spell.
Foolish has already claimed one significant Clifford Park victory after his win in the 2004 Fitton Insurance Hopeful Plate.
If Foolish does appear in the Weetwood he might also advance to the winter carnival and follow a similar path set last season by 2006 winner October Grey.
Magic start for Bonza Crop
The Ron Macrae stable has begun plans for an assault on the Magic Millions Classic in January with Bonza Crop.
The Macrae-trained Bonza Crop captured his maiden victory in grand style on November 24 when he humbled rivals in the $85,000 Magic Millions Trophy (1000m) at Clifford Park.
Bonza Crop, ridden by Scott Galloway, led throughout to land a string of big bets and bank $57,000 pay cheque which virtually guarantees a place in the Magic Millions field. Places in the field for the $1M Classic are determined by prizemoney and Bonza Crop is now one of the highest rated earners in the running.
“He pulled up very well after the Toowoomba race and I am still angry with myself because he should be unbeaten up here.” Macrae said.
He should have won the Fitton (Hopeful Plate) but he got lost on the track because I hadn’t galloped him here.
His rider then, Scott Galloway, said he was going backwards before the home bend but somehow the horse still ran second and Scott said later they would never beat him again.”
Macrae believes Bonza Crop can continue to improve. He says the horse is not overly tall but weighs closes to 500 kilograms and has scope for further growth.
In the Magic Millions Trophy Bonza Crop beat his stablemate Stunning by two and a quarter lengths. Another two lengths away in third spot was Mosstang while Khasahn finished fourth.
Bonza Crop ran the trip in 60.22seconds, which is a personal best. The race attracted a lot of UNiTAB betting and the First 4 returned a dividend of $4,898.00.
Maund to aim for Spring Triple Crown
Toowoomba trainer Ron Maund could be heading back to Melbourne this Autumn with Gold Editon as they try to repeat the Spring achievements.
Gold Edition (Lion Hunter-Glimmers-Success Express) was unbeaten after two outings during the Melbourne Cup carnival winning both the G1 Ascot Vale Stakes and the Listed Schweppervescence by the proverbial street.
Maund would like to aim Gold Edition at Melbourne’s Spring Triple Crown – the Lightning Stakes (1000m), Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and Newmarket Handicap (1200m).
Gold Edition, however will contest the $1M Magic Millions Trophy (1400m) at the Gold Coast beforehand.
The Chairman and Committee of the Toowoomba Turf Club wish to extend their best wishes for 2007 to supporters of the Turf Club and to the racing fraternity in general.
They also hope everyone had a joyous and safe Christmas.
Sharp dishes up the Charm for Lipp
By Lisa Campbell
Local team Jason Sharp and Rex Lipp were able to dish up a winner at Toowoomba’s City Pacific Finance Magic Millions race day on Friday, November 24.
Lipp’s handy stable sprinter Sequential Charm (F3 Sequalo-Laudham Charm) kicked home to take a clear win in the QRSE City Pacific Toowoomba Class 1 Handicap 1200m.
Easy Rocker (Kristy banks), from the Tony Gollan stables was a length away in second and a further half neck back to Cristi’s Idol (Kevin Forrester) from Ipswich in third.
Lipp and Sharp were confident with the filly’s ability heading into the race, but Lipp had doubts when the run became blocked.
“The race unfolded the way it was planned, but I was a bit worried when she was caught in behind the leader,” Lipp said.
“I could see the leader stopping and I was wondering if we were going to get out.”
Sequential Charm now heads for the Gold Coast in January and will stop in town for a run to add form to her record.
“She is a Magic Millions horse, so we are aiming for the 3YO Magic Millions race,” Lipp said.
“If she proves to us that she is worthwhile having a go at it, we will have a go at it.
“She will have to win in town next up to qualify for the Millions.
“This is her first start back from a spell. She has always shown me a bit of ability and she is certainly bigger and stronger this preparation than last time in.
“All we can hope is that we go forward with her.”
There are no doubts about the syndication of five owners being present on race day if the filly gains a run in the 3YO Magic Millions race.
“We couldn’t get better owners; two of them own pubs, one owns Sedl’s, my brother Greg owns the grocery store at Gin Gin and the last owner owned the Pub at Gin Gin, but is semi-retired,” Lipp said.
“It is a country collection; they are real party goers… I can tell you that now.”
Sequential Charm has now racked up $25,000 for her connections after two wins from a total of five starts.
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