Julie Maughan's Race Meeting Report 2nd July 2015

 

TAMWORTH ROUNDUP COMPILED BY JULIE MAUGHAN July 2, 2015

Lola Weidemann is back and in a big way after driving three winners at Thursday’s Tamworth HRC meeting.

The Queensland reinswoman has been off the scene for an extended period of time after sustaining four broken ribs and a hip injury in a race incident at Redcliffe back in April.

Weidemann was back in the spider on July 1, resuming at the Redcliffe meeting on the Wednesday night, where she got rid of the cob webs before heading to Tamworth the following day.

"After 13 weeks off I needed to come back. I have been in the gig at home for a couple of weeks" said Weidemann.

The winning way commenced when Bulldust won the Thread Effects Lordship Pace (1980m) at Tamworth.

"I’m happy with a winner" said Weidemann.

Bulldust was back in the winners circle with the P B Bullville-Bertils Beauty gelding recording his last win back in January at Albion Park.

Anthony Varga had No Confession leading the field while Sam Ison placed Gannicus in on the leaders back and Weidemann had Bulldust three back on the inside running line.

"Lucky the one in front of me wandered out and he (Bulldust) got his luck today. We took the run"

No Confession pulled away from the field in the back straight but Bulldust set chase and came away for a 4.3 metre win over No Confession and Gannicus 3.6 metres away third.

It was then in the following event that Weidemann notched win number two for the day in the Millenium Signs Lordship Pace (1980m) with Lonesome Mach.

Lonesome Mach (Mach Three-Little Phoebe) commenced from the seven barrier and Weidemann was hoping for a safe passage behind the one, The Artful Dogger (David Munise) but there was soon a change of plans as The Artful Dodger galloped out.

"All plans were out the window and I had to start again" said Weidemann.

Narrabri pacer Big Riddle (Chris Shepherdson) was sent straight to the lead and Weidemann did eventually achieve a good position sitting in behind the race leader.

While Big Riddle was handling the pressure from Pipers Challenge (Tom Ison) Weidemann came three wide around the final turn to wear them down and go on for the win.

"It worked out good when we switched out and he (Lonesome Mach) finished the race off well. I think I knocked up before he did" joked Weidemann

Lonesome Mach had a half neck win over Pipers Challenge and Big Riddle 3.6 metres away third with 7yo Lonesome Mach having his last win at Marburg back in February.

Dreamy Nukes then produced win number three for Weidemann, in taking out the TAB App. Pace (2360m) with an all the way win.

"He likes to lead and he got his own way out in front" said Weidemann. "You just have to try and rate them as best you can"

It was also a good day for Weidemann’s sister Julie who owns all three winners as well as training them and has been holding the fort along with niece Stacey Weidemann, whilst Lola has been recuperating.

Still all smiles at the end of the day and after seven drives gaining three winners and a third with Mac Sweet there was no rest as the family returned to Clifton.

"Its real good" said Weidemann "It’s good to be back"

Lola Weidemann then kept the team going when she finished third with Long Term Fella at Albion Park on Saturday night.

Lively Koara was putting the runs on the board at last week’s Tamworth meeting when the 5yo gelding had a handy win in the Tab Rewards Lordship Pace (1980m).

Trained at Narrabri by Peter Shepherdson, Lively Koara (Live Or Die – Koara Leigh) was only having his fourth race start for new connections comprising of Peter Shepherdson along with his brother Gary, Neil Drysdale and reinsman Chris Shepherdson.

"As he gradually gets better he will get tougher but he has got a mind of his own. He’s done well today" said Chris Shepherdson.

Lively Koara had had 10 career starts which saw a win at Albion Park back in December 2013 under the hands of Lola Weidemann before a 17 month hiatus and resumed racing at Tamworth back on June 21 this year.

"I planned to go back at the start but it panned out that I went forward and got the one by one sit which was good" said Shepherdson "He does have a nice little turn of foot too and when I pulled the plugs down the back he responded"

Lively Koara has now produced two wins and two placings from 14 starts.

Enrichment (Tom Ison) led the field and Sakoy (Sarah Rushbrook) raced out in breeze while Lively Koara was placed in the one by one before Shepherdson decided to set sail for home in the back straight on the final occasion.

Race favourite Laser Major (Guy Chapple) who was racing on Lively Koara’s back took the trail into the race but Lively Koara was too strong and held on for a 1.2 metre win over race favourite Laser Major (Guy Chapple) and Yap Yap Yomax (Peter Missen) 3.3 metres away third.

Tom Ison returned from the NSW Rising Stars series and picked up a winning catch drive for the Graham Moon stables at last week’s Tamworth meeting.

Ison took the reins for the first time behind Hannahs Freedom in the Tamworth Festival of Abilities July 4 Ladyship Pace (1980m) and had only caught a glimpse of the Lombo Mandingo-Bell of Freedom mare at the trials.

"I watched Graham drive her in a trial last week" said Ison "When the fields came out he (Moon) had two horses in the race and that’s how I got the drive"

Tamworth trainer Graham Moon also had Tepary engaged in the event.

With Rosie O’Rourke (Peter Missen) and Tact Maria (Len Simon) burning out in front 16 yo Ison elected to bide his time three back in the outside running line.

"I knew they would go quick early and that’s what they did" said Ison "They went for a battle early on"

"I went about the 600 mark and just kept going down the back. I knew Artistica Uno (Peter Hedges) was on my back but my horse just kept going" added Ison.

After a week of "experiences" in the NSW Rising Star Series, Ison was happy to be back home and in the winners circle.

"I’m wrapped I drove a winner after being away with the junior driver series. It was a good experience to go down there (Sydney) and do what we did. That may have helped me today"

Hannahs Freedom who is owned by Graham Moons wife Jenny had a 2.9 metre win over Artistica Uno and Mac Sweet (Lola Weidemann) another 14.2 metres away third.

MR was 2.00.5 for the 1980 m journey.

The End of Season Marathon at Tamworth over 3110 metres may very well be the next start for The Muse after a win over the 2360 metres in the National Primary Games (Tamworth) July 11/12 Pace.

Racing out in the breeze while Ride On A Rainbow (Anthony Varga) led the field, trainer and reinsman of The Muse, Craig Clegg was watching the semaphore board as the race progressed.

"I looked across at the sectionals and thought they weren’t going real hard" said Clegg with The Muse having just a short half head win over Ride On A Rainbow and Wake Up Quinn (David Munsie) 2.3 metres away third.

Ellalong trainer and reinsman Michael Formosa commenced his winning journey at the Tamworth meeting when Mondo Sports and Ultimate Trump gave the trainer a training and driving double.

Mondo Sports was the first to kick off the wins for the stable at Tamworth when the 3yo won the Freestyle Movement Centre 3yo Pace (1609m).

"He had every chance" said Formosa after the win "he is a bit immature but he has got a bit of ability and got the job done today".

Strathlachlan Art (James Harding) led the field as the bell sounded with Mondo Sports racing three back in the outside running line.

Up the back straight on the final occasion Formosa asked Mondo Sports for an effort and the Sportswriter-She Aint Fakin gelding went "woosh", powering away for his second career win from 17 starts.

Mondo Sports pulled away for an impressive 15.1 metre win over Strathlachlan Art and Sporty Belle (Peter Hedges) 4.1 metre away third.

"He once was one of those horses that finds an excuse to get beat but he likes it up here (Tamworth). He goes lovely" said Formosa.

Mondo Sports covered the 1609 metre journey in 2.00.1.

Ultimate Trump then covered the longer distance of 2360 metre for her win in the Sky Sports Radio Pace with a mile rate of 2.02.5.

From the 10 barrier, Formosa sat at the tail of the field with So Bad (Kerry Wellington) leading the pack, but a lap and a half from home Formosa spun Ultimate Trump around the field to take the lead and set the pace.

"We brought her as a yearling and she has been up in Queensland" said Formosa of Ultimate Trump (Trump Casino-History Repeating) "She will probably have another handful of starts and we will retire her at the end of the season"

Ultimate Trump has had 46 starts for 9 wins and 11 placings.

"The aim was to try and win $50,000 with her and she is only about $40 off that" added Formosa.

"The leader (So Bad) did a lot of work early but she (Ultimate Trump) felt good in the race. In the past she has always been a sit and sprint horse but in Queensland they drove her a little bit different"