By Tony McMahon
The “beach day out” theme at Moranbah races last Saturday was conquered by two ladies and a country racing stalwart.
Ipswich-based apprentice Olivia Kendal and her Mackay counterpart Jade Doolan rode the winners of the five-race program between them, with the former landing a treble and the latter a double.
Not forgetting of course, the trainers, Moranbah’s Bevan Johnson (three winners) and Mackay’s John Manzelmann taking out the other two races.
However, those commendable feats were upstaged by the remarkable 10YO Fab’s Cowboy, who clocked up his 46th win by landing the $8,500 Mining and Energy Union Open.
Little wonder the Bevan Johnson stable spokesperson Mel Johnson said she was stuck for words after the old cowboy returned to a rousing reception.
“What more can I say, his career has been well documented,” she said.
“He had a tough upbringing as a youngster because of drought and when he originally arrived at our place Bevan didn’t think he would amount to much.
“However, given time and when put into training, Bevan changed his mind and said I think this horse could be something special.”
Ridden by Olivia Kendal, Fab’s Cowboy – the $1.70 favourite – was far too strong with a three-length win over Raiden – the second-elect in the market.
In a fitting touch after the race, Kendal under instructions from trainer Johnson paraded Fab’s Cowboy along the rail outside of the enclosure whereby racegoers got to pat their champ and indulge in happy snap selfies with him.
Earlier, the Johnson-trained Bungarribee Lad scored arguably the easiest win ever recorded at Moranbah, recording a 16-length romp home in the Moranbah Community Workers Club Maiden.
The the stable’s treble was capped off when the recently acquired Only Emma landed some sizeable bets in winning the Complete Mechanical Support QTIS Class 3 Plate by more than four lengths in brilliant time.
There were joyous scenes in the enclosure when Emma returned, as the win capped a day to remember for part-owner Jean McMahon who was celebrating her birthday.
Only Emma is also part-owned by Moranbah Race Club president Mel Johnson and race club secretary Bianca Bulst.
“Emma just loves sand and dirt tracks and I feel she will win her share of races on those surfaces on country tracks,” McMahon said.
“This was her first start for Bevan and she is a credit to him.”
As an aside, a stunning half-sister to Only Emma, sired by Oakland Stud’s Power will be offered for sale as Lot 50 at Magic Millions on the Gold Coast next Monday.
Elsewhere on the card, former Townsville Cup winner Shiranda made light of his 65kg to win the Vitrine and Barada Barna BM60 for apprentice hoop Jade Doolan.
The John Manzelmann-trained stablemate Hard Currency – also ridden by Doolan – scored a thrilling nose win after coming from a long last to win the Surelift Class B.
Club officials were delighted with the success of the Beach Theme Race Day attended by a sizeable crowd with many decked out in beachwear.
The Moranbah Race Club next races on June 11.