Julie Maughan's Race Meeting Report 30th July 2015

 

MARATHON

"When he hits the front he takes on another dimension" and that is how Bathurst trainer Peter Bullock summed up the win of Signory Shannon in taking out the Psarakis Accounting Marathon Final at Tamworth last week.

The Marathon was contested over 3110 metres - just 90 metres short of the Melbourne Cup distance -and the way the 7 yo gelding finished off the race, Signory Shannon could have handled that distance.

"I was confident when he hit the front" added Bullock.

Peter Bullock once called Tamworth home but is now based at Bathurst where he trains for Rayngold P/L and has made several return trips to Tamworth with success.

Signory Shannon (Bettors Delight-Veloce Cavallo) was an absolute machine over the distance and topped the win off with breaking the track record which has been standing for 26 years.

In taking out the 3110 metre event Signory Shannon had a mile rate of 2.04.6 breaking Kotare Sterling’s mile rate of 2.04.90 set back in 1989.

"It was good to come back and win the race and we obviously had the right horse. It was a special win as that was his 20th career win. He is just a strong horse and to win a Marathon - that’s him" added Bullock.

"Funny enough he is probably the horse we have brought to Tamworth the most of any of the horses, and he hasn’t won a race here before today. He nearly always runs a place" added Bullock.

Signory Shannon finished second to The Muse (Daniel Morgan) in the heats conducted at Tamworth back on July 16 before Bullock then headed out to Young where Signory Shannon finished third to Written In Red before the Marathon win.

"He (Signory Shannon) met some smart horses at Young -he enjoys the hard work. You would probably find if he raced in three days’ time he would go better again" added Bullock.

For Narrabri reinsman Chris Shepherdson it was an armchair drive behind Signory Shannon, and his first as a reinsman to win a Marathon race.

"It was a massive run" said Shepherdson "Peter said he was a tough horse and would run all day"

"He’s a nice horse to drive. When you let him go he goes" joked Shepherdson.

From the 10 barrier Signory Shannon did have to work his way into the race – but that was achieved after the first turn once the mobile pulled away.

Lola Weidemann took Isobela Maree straight to the lead from the one barrier but Shepherdson soon had the lead in the back straight on the first occasion, and dictated the terms from there on.

Signory Shannon had a 9.3 metre win over The Muse (Daniel Morgan) and Isobela Maree (Lola Weidemann) 3.2 metres away third.

"It was a fair effort the win. It was definitely a good run and when a horse runs along like that in front you certainly enjoy the drive" added Shepherdson.

"It’s good to get a win for Peter (Bullock). When he is up this way he offers me a drive. He does a good job" said Shepherdson.

With sectionals of 32.4s, 31.2s, 29.8s, 29.6s Peter Bullock summed it all up well.

"I told Chris if he found the front the horse would rate himself. You just have to sit there and it was perfect as that is how it happened" said Peter Bullock.

Signory Shannon may have been having his 147th race start but he was as keen as his first race start.

Having his third win on the trot as well a breaking a track record has earnt 2yo Somemondosomewhere a well-earned spell.

Raced by Tamworth couple Maurie and Wendy Mondolo they leave the training to Michael Formosa who is based at Ellalong.

"He is a pretty smart horse. I wouldn’t have put him in with the older horses if I didn’t think he was capable but he will head for a spell now"

After leading all the way from the two barrier, Somemondosomewhere had a 17 metre win over Im Saint Anthony (Peter Hedges) and Iownaturbo (Tom Ison) 9.8 metres away third in takin g out the 1609 metre TAB Rewards Two & Three Year Old Pace.

The smart pacer also set a new track record for 2yo’s at the Paceway after producing a mile rate of 1.59.0 over 1609 metres breaking the record set by Not The Full Deck of 1.59.90 set back in August 2013.

July has been a big month for the Somebeachsomewhere-Winmara Lass gelding who had his first career win on the Newcastle Paceway at the beginning of the month, followed by a win at Redcliffe and then back to Tamworth where he competed against older horses.

Mac Sweet was a gift horse for the Weidemann stables and the 3yo Mach Three-Sweet Shania filly has now notched up career win number four in taking out the Thanking All 2014/2015 Sponsors Ladyship Pace (1609m) at Tamworth last week.

"She was a giveaway horse" said Lola Weidemann, with sister Julie handling the training "We gave her a go"

Mac Sweet only commenced racing back in February this year and from 18 starts has achieved 4 wins and four placings.

"She has had a real good season" added Weidemann.

After leading all the way Mac Sweet had a 1.9 metre win over Artistica Uno (Peter Hedges) and Pantastic Miss (Daniel Morgan) 3.8 metres away third.

The Weidemann sisters have been regular visitors to the Tamworth Paceway and for the 2014/2015 season Lola Weidemann has finished third on the Harness Racing World Drivers premiership.

Sister Julie has won the Sauer’S Glass Trainers premiership as well as the owners premierships.

Move over Dad I have arrived!

Uralla’s David Munsie has been handling the reins behind his father Peter’s team for a few seasons now but recently elected to take out his own trainers licence.

At last week’s Tamworth meeting David Munsie broke through for his first win as a trainer when Wake Up Quinn took out the Kel Penfold Finance Local Stakes.

"I have only been training for about two months now" said David Munsie. "Absolutely pleased to get the win"

What made the win special is that father and son actually quinelled the race.

"It was good to get a quinella with Dad but it did go the right way" joked Munsie.

Both Sissies Beach Girl trained by Peter Munsie and driven by Shane Knight, and Wake Up Quinn zoomed out of the gate but it was Wake Up Quinn who gained the lead.

After leading all the way Wake Up Quinn had a 7 metre win over Sissies Beach Girl (Shane Knight) and Lively Koara (Chris Shepherdson) a short half head away third and paid $16.90 for the win.

The win will be short lived though for David Munsie as Wake Up Quinn has been sold to Queensland interests.

The Rollon Bigred-Sleep On It gelding will enjoy the warmer climate of Queensland as Munsie has had to handle the cold conditions whilst training last week – including snow at their Uralla track.

"I picked the horse up from Ash Siejka and I am really happy with the horse but he has been sold" said Munsie.

"We have got a heap (horses) in the paddock at home so we will pick and choose which ones to give ago and train them up" added Munsie.

Anthony Varga needed a win at the last Tamworth harness meeting for the 2014/2015 season to ensure he won the Harness World Travelworld Drivers Premiership.

Driving a double ensured he was home and hosed.

Varga’s double came courtesy of the Ian Mabbott trained No Confession and Mitrhys Magic.

"It feels great to drive a double" said Varga "finish the season off with a bang"

Varga had a one point win over up and coming junior reinsman Tom Ison on the point’s score ladder.

No Confession was the first to hit the winners circle in taking out the Buckpitt Accounting &Tax Lordship Pace (1609m) with a mile rate of 1.59.5.

The race was not without drama as it was at take two that Varga got the win.

At the first attempt of running the race, both Yap Yap Yomax (Peter Missen) and Dreamshaker (Cameron Davies) were involved in a scrimmage with Dreamshaker falling.

Dreamshaker was withdrawn from the race on vet’s advice and Yo Yo Yomax was taken out by order of the Stewards.

At take two, Sakoy (Sarah Rushbrook) led with No Confession at the tail of the field before the Ifihayourluck five y.o. gelding swooped on the field up the back straight on the final occasion and came away for a 23.4 metre win over Sakoy and Mister Armageddon (Lola Weidemann) 4.3 metres away third.

"The horse has been going good" said Varga after the win of No Confession "That is probably his best run this season"

Mitrhys Magic then had an all the way win in taking out the THRC Awards @ Southgate Inn August 15 Pace (1980m).

With a lead time of 25.3 sec Varga was wondering what was going on in the race.

"The lead time had me worried" said Varga "There was a brain snap along the line somewhere but as soon as they dropped off I moved forward and I knew he (Mitrhys Magic) would be right"

Mitrhys Magic had a 4.4 metre win over Mondo Seelster (Michael Formosa) and Nics Best (Daniel Morgan) 2.3 metres away third.

Mitrhys Magic came into the race off three consecutive seconds at the Paceway.

"I thought I would get him back today" said Varga of the win.

Mitrhys Magic has finished second to the Craig Clegg trained The Muse, in the 2014/2015 Peter McNamara Photography Consistency Horse of the Season.

"He (Mitrhys Magic) has done well, we brought him in late this season. Hopefully we will bring him in at the start of next season and win it." said Varga with the four year old Mitrhys Magic raced by Varga’s parents John and Noelene.

Brendan James had to be content to stand trackside and watch his pacer Kates Attitude take out the final event of the night at Tamworth, the Resuming Racing November 5 Pace (1980m).

Due to work commitments James had handed the training of the Modern Art-Capuccino Dream mare over to trainer Tony Missen.

"I have to praise Tony and Peter for looking after the mare" said James "It was a solid effort and I knew if she got to the lead she would win"

Kates Attitude has been handy with four wins this season from 18 starts and four placings but there was a bit of a setback in her preparation.

"She put her leg through a fence about four months ago but she has come back well" added James.

Kates Attitude resumed racing on July 16 where she finished second to Hannah’s Freedom.

Driven by Peter Missen, Kates Attitude held the lead from the pole and looked impressive heading up the field before going on for a 1.3 metre win over Great Result (Daniel Morgan) and Alyeska Dream (Tom Ison) 14.6 metres away third.

"That was a good way to finish the season off" said Peter Missen "She (Kates Attitude) can run a bit of time"

Kates Attitude ran the 1980 metres with a mile rate of 2.00.5