Julie Maughan's Raceday Report Sun 22 January 2017 - Golden Guitar Heats

 

The $25,000 Prydes Easifeed Golden Guitar Final at Tamworth for 2017 is shaping up as one of the best ever after six heats were conducted last Sunday evening with a track record broken in the first heat!

Julie Maughan takes a look at the heat winners and how they achieved their place in the Listed Classic race.

Prydes Biomare Cubes Golden Guitar Heat 1

Real Social (fav) made the running of the first heat of the Golden Guitar look like a walk in the park slicing a whole second off the track record set by 2016 Final winner Cyclone Kate.

The John McCarthy trained Cyclone Kate set a track record of 1.58.0 while Real Social trained by Stephen Bunz set the new mile rate of 1.57.1 for the 1980 metre journey going to the line under a comfortable hold.

It was straight to the lead from barrier four for Real Social to dictate the terms out in front with reinsman Nathan Dawson handling the Real Desire USA-Socialiser four year old gelding.

"We thought we would try and get to the front and use his gate speed" said Dawson

"There was a little bit of pressure but not too much to worry him - he is a good enough horse to get to the finish"

For Dawson and Bunz - who trains out of Purga near Ipswich in Qld - it is their first shot at a Golden Guitar Final.

"It is my first Golden Guitar" said Dawson "I drove here about six months ago but no luck – but it is exciting and good to break the track record in the first heat"

For trainer Stephen Bunz he spent time in Tamworth but not with horses - he was into Country Music! – What a theme for Tamworth.

"I had a look at the race last year but this is only my second year of training"

"I lived here in Tamworth for about 15 years - I use to sing with Lindsay Butler" added Bunz

"It is great to come here to race – my Dad Dennis was a trainer and his Dad was a trainer in NZ"

Real Social had a 3.2 metre win over The Duke Downunder (Steve Doherty) and Angelas Image (Kylie Barnes) a neck away third.

PRYDES EASIFEED EASI RIDE GOLDEN GUITAR HEAT 2

Rakarazor NZ (fav) was having her first race start on Australian soil and what a race to commence your Australian racing career in taking out the second Heat of the time honoured Golden Guitar

After Cyclone Kate won the Listed Classic race last year the Cobbity trainer had his eye on Rakarazor for the same mission this year.

"I got her off Gareth Dixon in NZ and she only arrived a couple of weeks ago so it was nice to get a winner - she will benefit from that run" added McCarthy of the Rocknroll Hanover USA-Rakarach four year old mare.

"I have worked her at home but no trials but she is pretty forward" added McCarthy of the "pocket rocket".

Rakarazor had a 14 metre win over Change The Nation (Nathan Dawson) and Aussie Vista (Lola Weidemann) 6.5 metres away third with Rakarazor also breaking the track record set by Cyclone Kate last year with a mile rate of 1.57.5

PRYDES EASIFEED STAMINA GOLDEN GUITAR HEAT 3

Courtsinsession (fav) held judgement over his opposition in taking out the third heat and with an imposing stature the horse had an all the way win from the pole.

For Ebenezer trainer Colin Edwards it will be his first attempt at a Golden Guitar Final.

Reinsman Michael Towers will make the return trip from Sydney to take the reins behind the Art Major USA-Maudie gelding in the Final.

"He is a big horse but well gaited and can get around the small tracks - it is going to be a good final" said Towers "Colin has always got one that can run"

"It was an easy heat - I was worried about the draw but there was no speed outside us" added Towers who spoke of a recent win of Courtsinsession at Bankstown

"He won at Bankstown by 60 metres back in November" added Towers.

"We half planned a run in the Golden Guitar and he still has a little up his sleeve - he did it easy enough today" added Towers.

Courtsinsession had a 9 metre win over Drive The Dream (M Muscat) and Im Saint Anthony two metres away third with a mile rate of 1.57.9

Prydes Easifeed Easi Performance Golden Guitar Heat 4 and Prydes Easi Feed Easi Oil Golden Guitar Heat 5

Ellalong train Michael Formosa won a Golden Guitar Final back in 2009 when he trained Xavier with Cameron Davies handling the reins.

The 2017 running will see two from the Formosa stables competing after the stables won the fourth and fifth heats.

Somemondosomewhere (fav) was the first from the stables to make it into the final after an all the way win from the pole.

"He was laid back in the run" said Formosa of the Somebeachsomewhere –Winmara Lass gelding who is raced by Tamworth locals Wendy and Maurice Mondolo.

"It will be good in the final especially for Wendy and Maurice" added Formosa "The horse will strip fitter for the final – I would like to draw the one barrier again though"

Somemondosomewhere had a half head win over a fast finishing Hero Bromac (Lola Weidemann) and Lifeontopoftheworld (Richard Williams) 2 metres away third with a mile rate of 1.59.7.

Magoogan then joined his stablemate after taking out Heat 5 with a huge run down the outside running line to claim Dawn Magic (N McMullen) by a metre and Countdown (Nathan Dawson) a head away third and paying $14 for the win.

"He is more a grinder than a speed horse" added Formosa of the Santanna Blue Chip-Amber Loafer gelding.

"I thought it was definitely a tougher heat than the first heat I was in and to come away with a win is a bonus"

"I will have to see the barrier draw and work from there who I will drive but they are both easy to drive"

Prydes Easifeed Three Golden Guitar Heat 6

Could the Clifton based Weidemann stables be looking at another Golden Guitar Final win?

The Weidemann stables won the 1995 running with Duel Lass and 2010 with Mister Skye Rocket.

Jogalong Stingray landed the sisters in the 2017 running after a 1.8 metre win over Art Mistress and Somebeach N Clovelly (Mitch Faulkner) 8.9 metres away third.

Lola Weidemann was "swinging" to Jogalong Stingray and waiting for a chance opening on the inside running.

"I thought it would never come" said Weidemann of the race opportunity.

As the field rounded the final turn into the home straight Art Mistress swung wide and "wiped out" Cashdontbounce (Steve Doherty) who was making an outside run to gain a position in the Final.

"It was like the hare and the tortoise" joked Weidemann after the race

"The hare departed and the tortoise carried on"

Jogalong Stingray obviously has an enthusiasm for the Tamworth track – he has already claimed seven wins on the 750 metre paceway.

Classed as an outsider in the betting stakes Jogalong Stingray paid $27.50 for the win with a mile rate of 2.00.8 for 1980 metres.