Moranbah Race Club Family Fun Day: John Manzelmann to start 20 horses

A Mackay-based trainer is likely to start as many as 20 horses on the track at Moranbah this weekend with promises of a ‘great afternoon of racing and fun’.

Mackay trainer John Manzelmann is likely to start as many as 20 horses at the Moranbah Race Club’s Family Fun Day Races on Saturday.

Mackay training colossus John Manzelmann is likely to start as many as 20 horses at the Moranbah Race Club’s Family Fun Day Races on Saturday.

Manzelmann, who oversees a team of 40 horses in seaside stables at South Mackay, pleasantly delighted while albeit stunning MRC secretary Bianca Bulst when see viewed Saturday’s entries.

That’s because of the 40 horses nominated for the Moranbah program which offers $57,500 prize money, JM nominated 30.

“It certainly is terrific support from John but he regularly brings teams of horses to Moranbah meetings however not that size before I don’t recall,” Bianca Bulst said.

On Tuesday afternoon when asked just how many horses he was likely to race at Moranbah, the trainer replied “about 20”.

“I”ll be bringing three truck loads out to Moranbah. I have jockeys Chris McIver, Colin Lennon, Erin Molloy and Natalea Summers engaged to ride the horses,” John said.

Training son Joshua will also fly the Manzelmann flag at Moranbah where the young family member is likely to start another two horses.

As well, John Manzelmann has five horses entered to race at Richmond on Saturday which will be ridden by stable jockey Jade Doolan.

It will be a busy week for John as he has accepted with 20 horses to start at the Mackay TAB races on Thursday.

Back at Moranbah on Saturday it is a certainty that John will win the QTIS Maiden Plate (1170m) as he has the entire field of 11 nominations.

That feat is nothing new for Manzelmann as he recalls doing it twice before including on one occasion in May 2014 at Mackay races with the whole field of nine runners.

Bianca Bulst said the MRC is going all out on Saturday to provide for children at the Family Fun Day.

“We have heaps of unlimited free rides and goodies lined up for the kids- jumping castles, super slides, merry-go-rounds and a bucking bull. Thanks to BP Moranbah there will be lots, lots more including a local kids band and a teen rock band playing between 12-and 1pm,” she said.

Gates open at the racecourse at 1PM and the much community mind race club will donate 10 per cent of the gate takings to Moranbah Netball.

“It promises to be a great afternoon of racing and fun for families. I hope the local community get behind the race club and come on out to the course,” the enthusiastic Bulst said.

Originally published as Moranbah Race Club Family Fun Day: John Manzelmann to start 20 horses