Julie Maughan's Tamworth Raceday Report 21 June 2015

TAMWORTH HARNESS ROUNDUP SUNDAY 21st JULY COMPILED BY JULIE MAUGHAN
MONDO SEELSTER TAKES FEATURE
At the beginning of the week Maitland reinsman Mitch Chapple thought he had missed the opportunity for a drive behind Mondo Seelster in the $7,650 Final of the TAB.COM.AU Winter Warmer Final at Tamworth after the gelding was declared first emergency.
Mondo Seelster is trained at Ellalong by Michael Formosa, and for 17 year old Chapple he knew his luck was in when he noticed there was a scratching.
 “I knew he was a first emergency and when I saw the scratching of Tayspastime you couldn’t get a better feeling than that” said Chapple.
After finishing fourth to Cockys Fancy in the first heat of the Winter Warmer series, Chapple then went on to drive Mondo Seelster at Newcastle where he finished second to Artsu before the return to Tamworth.
“Last week at Tamworth I missed the boat and probably should have won the Heat so I thought I would make redemption and pulled out a little earlier today. He (Mondo Seelster) went pretty good on Monday at Newcastle racing like that”
Mondo Seelster came into the final off a second to Artsu at Newcastle and commenced as race favourite in the Winter Warmer Final.
With Cocky’s Fancy (Julie Weidemann) leading the field and Cookavich (Peter Missen) in the breeze Mondo Seelster was three back on the outside running line, with Chapple making a three wide move not long after the bell sounded.
“I didn’t think he was travelling the best around the final corner so I thought I would duck in for a breather and run a game second but then he picked up the bit again and we chased down the leader” added Chapple.
Mondo Seelster grabbed Cockys Fancy right on the line with a winning margin of a head and The Muse (Daniel Morgan)  2.1 metre away third and for Tamworth based owners Maurie and Wendy Mondolo they were more than happy to be trackside for the presentation.
“He’s just a legend to me” said Chapple of Mondo Seelster.
The win in the TAB.COM.AU Winter Warmer Final was the biggest for Chapple to date and only his second career winning drive – both of those wins behind Mondo Seelster with the first being at Newcastle back in April.
“He’s my favourite” added Mitch Chapple who has followed his father Guy into the sports and also likes to spend time at the Formosa racing establishment.
“It’s probably harder for me because Dad has been so succefull but I’ll gradually get there” said Chapple “I reckon both Dad and Mick (Formosa) are my mentors, they are both good teachers”
At only 17 years of age Chapple still has plenty of years ahead of him in the industry but at present is concentrating on finishing Year 12 at the Hunter Trade Centre as well and doing first year in trade as an apprentice Boilermaker.

Maitland’s Madelene Bond received plenty of accolades after driving her first career win at the Tamworth meeting.
The Know It All, who was also breaking through for his first career win from eight starts paid $15.30 for the win in the Thrifty Car Rentals Pace..
“He is my favourite horse” added the young 16 year old who has no problems in combining her Year 11 studies at Maitland Grossman High School and harness racing.
After following her father Jamie Bond into the sport Maddie Bond also learnt skills in the mini trotters along the way.
The Know It All is a 3yo Santastics Pan – Overspend gelding who the Bond family bred and raced after also having success with the dam Overspend.
 “We will all definitely celebrate now” said Bond. “Our horses like the smaller tracks as we train on Maitland”.
With Jamie Bond handling the training he left it to his daughter to don the Pink and Brown hoop silks and o handle the reins on this occasion.
With Genas Delight (Anthony Varga) leading the field, Bond placed The Know It All on the leaders back, gaining a split as the field rounded the final turn.
“It was good when I got the split” said Bond. “I was hoping the horse outside (Tirunesh) didn’t run me down. My horse was travelling really good” added Maddie.
Tirunesh (Anthony Missen) was finishing fast down the outside but Bond kept The Know It All straight to hold on for a 1 metre win over Tirunesh and Genas Delight 2.2 metres away third.

Meanwhile it wasn’t long before fellow Hunter Valley reinsman James Harding also fronted up to the winners circle when Strathlachlan Matt won the HRT 2015 Inter Dominion Tours Pace (1609M) in a neat 2.00.0.
“It’s  always good to be back in the winners circle” said Harding “It doesn’t happen often as you would like but this horse has been running super at Newcastle”
Strathlachlan Matt (Pacific Rocket-Strathlachlan Mae) who commenced as race favourite was notching up his sixth career win.
From the pole Ghost Gum (Julie Weidman) led the field whilst Strathlachlan Matt sat three back in the outside running line after commencing from the six barrier with Harding making his race move in the back straight on the final occasion.
After sweeping past the field Strathlachlan Matt had a 6.4 metre win over Big Riddle (Chris Shepherdson) and Ghost Gum 1.9 metres away third.
Strathlachlan Matt enjoys the Tamworth Paceway as he had his last win there back on May 7.

We all dream of owning a winner or even better driving a winner and for 25 year old Luke Muirhead from Maitland his dream came true at the Tamworth Paceway last Sunday.
Muirhead only gained his licence on the Monday and was slotted in to make his driving debut at Tamworth behind Putting For Eagle for his mentor Ken Smith Jnr in the Nevele R Stallion Service Tenders Close July 30 Pace.
 “So happy with the win and so happy Ken gave me the opportunity to take the drive. I will remember this day for a long time” said Muirhead in between shaking hands of congratulations.
Luke Muirhead has been at the Smith stables based at Louth Park for over five years now mucking out stables and helping out before deciding to step it up and gain his reinsman licence and have a go at the racing scene.
A Boilermaker by trade and now looking at gaining his second qualification as a Plant Mechanic, the winning drive was certainly a first for Muirhead but it was also a first for Putting For Eagle (Santatics Pan- Queen Eagle) who at his 38th race start the 6yo gelding finally recorded his first win.
“I’d like to do it again” joked Muirhead who also took out The Pub sponsored Drive of the Day for his skilful drive.
Narrabri pacer McArdles Star (Chris Shepherdson) led the field while Tact Maria NZ who was resuming with her last start being a second at Ascot Park back in June 2014, raced out in the breeze.
Putting For Eagle had a 3.6 metres over race favourite Tact Maria (Len Simon) and McArdles Star 4.5 m away third and paid $13.40 for the win.
“I just saw the gap and felt it was right and just went” said Muirhead. “The horse (Putting For Eagle) has been going great at the trials. I will be just happy to keep driving the horses”

“I’m really pleased with him. He went really well” said reinsman David Munsie after the win of The Artful Dodger in the Vale Fay Wicks Pace (1980m).
The Artful Dodger, trained out of Uralla by Munsie’s father Peter started as race favourite from barrier six.
Make A Point (Brett Hutching) led the field while The Artful Dodger raced four back on the outside running line with Munsie electing to shuffle the Art Major-The Gatecrasher gelding up just prior to the bell to race three wide.
“I had to get going early but he (The Artful Dodger) kept plugging along which was good” said Munsie.
With the race tempo stepping up The Artful Dodger just kept running on and held on for 1.4 metre win over a fast finishing Yap Yap Yomax (Guy Chapple) and Lively Koara (Chris Shepherdson) 1.6 metre away third.
“It did worry me a little bit when I saw Yap Yap Yomax  but then I saw the line and worked out he wasn’t going to get me. My fella kept boxing on” added Munsie.
Lightly raced The Artful Dodger as a 6yo was recording his second career win from six starts with his first being on his home track of Armidale back in March.

Blucolla Moon made it back to back wins in taking out the Changeover & Live or Die @ Nevele R Ladyship Pace - but only just – at Tamworth on Sunday.
With Village Xibbitt (Maddie Bond) leading the field and Mac Sweet (Julie Weidemann) racing in the breeze Blucolla Moon was placed three back on the inside running line.
After racing down the home straight on the final occasion, and close to the line Blucolla Moon  veered in on Mac Sweet (Julie Weidemann) who in turn ricocheted into Village Xibbit (Maddie Bond) with Rosie O’Rouke (Peter Missen) flying home down the straight.
With all horses staying upright and crossing the finish line Stewards reviewed the race film and Blucolla Moon held the race.
“She was always going to win the race heading for home but it was more my fault than the horse” said reinsman Anthony Varga “I lost the outside rein. It was very frightening at the time”
Blucolla Moon had a neck win over Rosie O’Rourke and Lucky Laag (Brett Hutching) 1.9 metre away third.

Diesel Shannon had a bigger cheer squad than the NSW State of Origin team when he won the NW Rising Star Tom Ison Pace (1980m) at Tamworth.
Trained at Narrabri by Peter Shepherdson it was his nephew Chris Shepherdson who handled the reins on the Modern Art –Classic Cordon gelding, and was having his second start for the stables.
“Defiantly good to have the supporters here” said Shepherdson “That was his second start for us. He went alright”
“I went to the chair and then pulled out in the back straight. May have gone a little early but he rocked home good” added Shepherdson.
Diesel Shannon had a 1.7 metre win over Lonesome Mach (Julie Weidemann) in taking out the   North West Rising Star Tom Ison Pace (1980m) and Itz Platinum Plus (Len Simon) 10.9 metres away third.
“We always thought he might have been a chance if he got some luck” added Shepherdson.

Daniel Morgan is part of the NSW Rising Star Series representing the Hunter Valley along with Laura Spencer and was happy to get a win at Tamworth before heading to Sydney to link up with other talented youngsters to set off on an experience of a lifetime.
Morgan took the reins for Maitland trainer Michael Osborn behind Tiz A Smokey in the Industrial Mediation Services Pace (1980m).
From the three barrier Morgan pinged Tiz A Smokey straight to the lead and was soon joined by Mitrhys Magic (Anthony Varga) out in the breeze.
Tiz A Smokey went on for a 17.8 metre win over Mitrhys Magic  and Dreamy Nuke (Julie Weidemann) 3.2 metres away third.
 “That win was pretty good. I’m getting excited now about joining the Driver Series and feeling confident” said Morgan. “I am hoping to pick up some more winners in the series”
“It’s a pretty good track here (Tamworth), spacious but the horse has been racing good” added Morgan.
“I knew when I had Mitryhs Magic outside me I was in control”
Tiz A Smokey collected career win 10 for owner Peter Witcom.