Lets have a bit of a recap of the carnival and look at the highlights..
THE HIGHLIGHT
Nat McCall and a mighty little horse called ‘Bill’. Well commonly known as River Lad, he was the Qld hero taking out the states biggest race, the Stradbroke.
What people don’t realise is what a great training performance it was. After he ran extremely well behind Appearance who was flying at the time, Nat gave him a let-up, he was just ok in the BTC cup. He then continued to improve each run, went into the Straddy off a win and was timed to the minute to take out the feature. Take a bow Nat McCall.
THE DISAPPOINTMENT
Doomben early in the carnival it did race poorly. There was no hiding the fact it was a leaders track the first couple of meetings.
It did improve greatly later on and it seems the track has been playing far more evenly when the rail gets shifted to 4m and beyond?
THE TRAINING PERFORMANCE
Many good training performances but loved the job Steve O’Dea did with Sir Moments. He got him back from after very little racing over 12 months and the horse built into his prep beautifully and was classes above when he stepped up in trip to win a couple of big races. Great work.
THE FIND OF THE CARNIVAL
This is a tough one. I thought COSMIC ENDEAVOUR in the Dane Ripper G2 was outstanding. 58kg against a good field of older mares and gave them a beating. Then went on to win the G1 Tiara.
A HAPPY GOODBYE
We said goodbye to SPIRIT OF BOOM who can go to stud and do his thing after producing a career best preparation. He is a multiple G1 winner and Tony Gollan should be extremely proud of himself and his team!
WHAT HAVE WE GOT TO LOOK FORWARD TOO?
A new Eagle Farm surface! You beauty. Onwards and upwards!
