Rockhampton trainer Clinton Taylor pressing on with Chinny Boom

The trainer of star mare Chinny Boom said he believed the barrier draw was against her when she failed in the recent LR Bright Shadow at Doomben.

Trainer Clinton Taylor “pressing on with Chinny Boom.” Picture: Grant Peters - Trackside Photography

Trainer Clinton Taylor believes the usual coveted rails barrier worked adversely against star mare Chinny Boom when she failed in last Saturday’s $160,000 LR Bright Shadow (1110m) at Doomben.

“We went from cheering last Wednesday when she drew barrier one to crying and being disappointed after a few races there on Saturday as we knew they (horses) drawn there weren’t doing anything with the winners coming away from the fence,” Taylor said.

And that’s exactly what panned out when after getting a cuddly inside run from jockey Justin Stanley, the star mare capitulated and conceded ground down the straight.

In the end, Chinny Boom, the $4.40 second favourite finished 5.3 lengths away in 11th place behind winner Aureus Angel (Damien Thornton, $21.00).

Race favourite the James Cummings trained Parisal (James McDonald, $2.80) was also contained to the inside section for most of the race and she too did not run-on, finishing 3.49 lengths seventh.

After the race, both jockeys – Stanley and McDonald told inquiring stewards that they believed their mounts “may not have appreciated the Doomben track conditions (Soft 7).”

Chinny Boom. Picture: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography.

As well as post-race, stewards ordered a veterinary inspection of Chinny Boom.

They reported Chinny Boom “to be displaying clinical signs of the thumps” which is categorised by muscle contractions of the flanks as at the same time as the heart.

However, this afternoon (Monday) Clinton Taylor was dismissive with the diagnosis and said that Chinny Boom had come through the race “really well”.

“She recovered very quickly after the race and has come along well since. I think it was more the going close to the fence on Saturday and she didn’t want to be there nor did we but when you draw the rails there is not much you can do about it,” he said.

To this point Clinton said he could see no reason not to continue of with Chinny Boom’s Brisbane winter plans which encompass her next start at Eagle Farm in a fortnight.

“We will press on with her program to run in a Listed Race ($160K Helen Coughlan F & M Stakes (1200m) the Saturday after next (June 1),’’ he said.

The trainer is looking forward to his gifted Brisbane winner, the imposing juvenile Astapor (Justin Stanley) resuming racing at Doomben this Saturday.

Astapor is among a star lineup of 34 Magic Millions sales graduates to enter for the transferred $1M MM National 2YO Classic (1000m).

“I am really very happy with him, and his trial was so pleasing (winning) in Rocky the other day. I know it is going to be a hard race to win but I believe he (Astapor) really deserves his chance. There are not many $1M races where there are only 12 starters,” Taylor concluded.

Trainer Clinton Taylor.

Meanwhile, out at Pioneer Park racecourse Emerald last Saturday, Master Jamie proved he was on target for an unprecedented three consecutive Rockhampton Cup wins on the turf track.

The “millionaire” equine athlete ran home the easiest of winners in the $12,500 Emerald Cup (1615m).

Virtually gifted the Cup through the set weight conditions applicable, Master Jamie made light of his 61.5kg under heavyweight Paul Hamlin to romp home as $1.60 favourite for a 4.25 lengths win.

In the history of the Rockhampton Cup first run and won by Rolad in 1918, Hectique has been the only three times consecutive winner (1969, ‘70 and ‘71) but that occurred on the old sand track at Callaghan Park.

The $150K Rockhampton Cup (1600m) will be run on the Callaghan Park turf on Saturday, July 13 when Master Jamie will again be ideally suited by Quality Handicap conditions which restrict the top weight to no more than 62kg.

Racing returns to Callaghan Park for a nine race TAB program on Thursday which has attracted 97 nominations.

In Capricornia this Saturday, the racing action takes place at Ferguson Park racecourse Gladstone.

Originally published as Rockhampton trainer Clinton Taylor pressing on with Chinny Boom