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There was no shortage of finger pointing after the races at the big annual Rocky Amateurs Race Day were called off on Saturday in controversial circumstances.
After the races were abandoned following the running of just one event due to a wet patch on the track, the Rockhampton Jockey Club sent out a message to trainers notifying that barrier trials and jump-outs on Monday (May 10) “will proceed as normal.”
That led to Rockhampton’s former premier trainer Tom Button, now based at the Sunshine Coast, to comment on Facebook: “How can it be ok Monday if they called off today..Strange stuff.”
Marway scored an impressive win in the $200K Wagga Town Plate (1200m) on Thursday.
Horses Tony McMahon
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Locally owned and bred Marway has rightly earned the elite âRockhampton Rocketâ moniker after his devastating win in the $200K Wagga Town Plate (1200m) on Thursday.
Bred by his Rockhampton owners Greg and Elaine Sturgiss who race the Hemingway 5YO in conjunction with Paul and Barbara Wagner (Springsure), Marway has become a revelation since taking up residency in Sydney.
With three Sydney wins prior to his Wagga winning demolition, his astute Randwick trainer Mark Newnham branded Marwayâs Plate win as âfantasticâ while admitting he has been âlucky to get himâ.
Australia Day Races at Warwick Farm
Horses Tony McMahon
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Without doubt one of the most potent components which fuels the enthusiasm but sadly all too often unrealistic expectations of racehorse owners are that of dreams.
Regrettably, many dreams in horse racing which was founded on them are simply that – fantasy.
However, as the late Walt Disney - arguably the most successful dreamer of them all - once said: “All our dreams come true, if we have the courage to pursue them”.
That quote sits perfectly with Rockhampton owner-breeders Greg and Elaine Sturgiss and Springsure’s Paul and Barbara Wagner and indeed their dream did come true at Royal Randwick racecourse in Sydney on Anzac Day.
Tony McMahon
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Marway has set the scene for what could be Rockhampton racingâs most memorable week after he won breaking the track record on the Kensington course at Randwick, Sydney on Wednesday.
Now it is up to Queenslandâs super juvenile filly the Rockhampton-trained Sweet Dolly to bring the current unprecedented unabated euphoria to a crescendo by winning the $500K Jewel at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
If betting is any guide with Sweet Dolly the odds-on $1.50 favourite for the rich juvenile race over 1200 metres, Rockhampton racing will have reached new heights should she most likely win.
Horses Tony McMahon
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Subscriber only The Rockhampton Jockey Club is cementing its future as a major training centre in Queensland with the construction of two new blocks of stable barns at Callaghan Park racecourse. Each barn will contain 20 stables while two equine motorised walkers will be placed in close proximity for the exercising of horses occupying them. RJC CEO Tony Fenlon said work on the construction of the barns would commence forthwith. Funding of in the vicinity of $900,000 was provided by Racing Queensland. It is a case of accepting the funding for their construction as we look to consolidate the club s status as a major racing player and training centre in Queensland, Fenlon said.