The fifth emergency’s record dash at Burrandowan

By Jordan Gerrans

When acceptances were released for the Benchmark 55 Handicap over 1050 metres at Burrandowan last week, veteran hobby trainer Bob Chessher was on the outside looking in. 

Chessher was keen to start his talented mare Above The World in the event but she was labelled as the fifth emergency with only 10 gallopers able to start in a race over that distance at the venue. 

The 80-year-old conditioner from Taabinga bided his time.

Eventually, there was enough scratchings from the non-TAB event and the chestnut mare was able to sneak her way in.

Above The World did not just make up the numbers in the sprint race at Burrandowan but she went as fast as any galloper has ever performed at the track. 

The daughter of Star Witness set a new track record from the 1050 metre start at Burrandowan as she scorched home in 35.13 seconds over the final 600 metres.

Chessher only prepares a small team in the South Burnett region but after initially not getting a start on Saturday, he was delighted to record a new track record with his mare. 

“I know how good she's been going in gallops,” Chessher said.

“She should have won a lot earlier than this. She has just not been getting good runs, things like getting blocked or missing the jump. 

“It's not an easy game this one.

“She's got a lot of potential, this horse. I just love her.”

Above The World had finished back in the field in her three prior runs at Kilcoy and Dalby (twice).

From the widest gate, emerging apprentice Jess Emmerson produced a smart ride to lift Above The World to victory, with Chessher full of praise for the up-and-coming hoop.

The victory at Burrandowan was the second for Above The World since she joined the small barn of Chessher. 

She also scored at Dalby in March of last year. 

“She broke the class record there that day at Dalby,” the beaming trainer said.

The octogenarian hails from Ingham in North Queensland and has trained right across the Sunshine State dating back to the 1970s. 

He has spent time at Ingham, Cairns, Mount Isa and Ayr earlier in his tenure before settling at Taabinga, which is near Kingaroy, in recent times. 

Above The World was previously prepared by Stuart Kendrick and Greg Wright before Chessher snapped her up. 

“I knew she'd be going close to winning soon,” the trainer said.

“She's just got to get her act together a bit as she's a very smart horse, really. But, she is a hard horse to handle.

“She's just hard to load onto a float, she is very bullish and wants to push you around.

“But, she is very good under saddle. Once you get on her back, she's a beautiful horse.

“She is a beautiful horse around the stables. It's only when race day comes and she just switches on. I am very pleased with her. 

"She's pulled up good. She's a good-looking animal. She will make a good broodmare later in life.”

The hobby trainer has a couple of options with Above The World going forward. 

She may head to Kilcoy next Friday for a 1200 metre event or remain on the non-TAB circuit and start at Nanango the following day. 

“I wouldn't mind taking her to Kilcoy actually because I think she's up to a lot of them stronger horses,” he said.

“You'd like to see where she is at against them.

“The start before she won last week was at Kilcoy and she got blocked for a run early and was cut out early in the race.

“Then she made up about seven or eight lengths on the winner to only get beaten three or so lengths.”

Chessher also prepares gelding Okcharlie who is searching for a maiden victory after three career efforts so far.

Jockey Emmerson piloted a winning treble on Saturday.