FNQ MAIL: Racing’s sad loss
Cairns Post racing writer Jordan Gerrans reviews the weekend’s racing at Townsville and Innisfail in FNQ Mail, including an all-mighty jockey’s room blow-up.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Two more NQ horses test ‘positive’
- Inquiry into jockeys ride at Cannon Park
- CTB Bulldogs kids give Wallace heart
- Local footy to stay in usual timeslot
Cairns Post racing writer Jordan Gerrans reviews the weekend’s racing at Townsville and Innisfail in FNQ Mail, including an all-mighty jockey’s room blow-up.
ROMANO’S RELIEF
The stewards might have a little egg on their face in regards to Innisfail galloper Caffe Romano’s recent performances.
Last month at a non-TAB at Tolga, trainer of Caffe Romano Krysten Allender was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding’s competitiveness after he finished well back in the field.
Just a few weeks later, the five-year-old gelding stormed from back in the field to just be beaten on the line in a Ratings Band 0 – 58 Handicap (1200m) at Townsville.
Caffe Romano has always been competitive, he just did not appreciate the track conditions at Tolga last month.
It is an excellent training performance from Allender to have the gelding going so well, as she just has the one horse and recently became a mother for the first time.
RACING’S SAD LOSS
The north Queensland racing community is still mourning the sad loss of Edmonton icon Lou Piccone, who passed away peacefully in his sleep last week.
Piccone still has shares in horses to this day, Divine Service, who is trained by Cairns’ Peter Rowe and ran a great race on Saturday, and Magnufighter, who has won seven career races in Brisbane for trainer Gary Duncan.
The Piccones have been in racing for decades with Lou’s son John a former president of the Cairns Jockey Club, who also has shares in many horses.
FELIX ON FIRE
North Queensland rider Jeffrey Felix is receiving reward for effort.
Despite racing being at his local track of Townsville on Saturday, Felix made the long trip out to Mt Isa.
Felix picked up a winning double and a few of his other rides were not far away as well.
Mt Isa has been a happy hunting ground for Felix of late, riding a winner at the track last month as well.
SUNDAY SPARKS FLY
The Pease Park jockeys room was home to an all-mighty hoop blow-up on Sunday afternoon.
A north Queensland-based rider was back in the jockeys room just seconds after a race had just finished and gear was flying everywhere with words full of colourful language.
Let’s just put it this way: the top local hoop was unhappy with the instructions given by the trainer who he just rode for.
GILLARD ON DECK
The experienced Paul Gillard was back in the north this weekend to lead the stewards panel.
Gillard, who was promoted down to the Gold Coast earlier in 2020 after years in the north, was on hand at Townsville and Innisfail across the weekend.
Gillard was involved in the Rachel Shred inquiry and may need to do a bit more heavy lifting this week.
Originally published as FNQ MAIL: Racing’s sad loss