TOOWOOMBA CELEBRATES THE RETURN OF RACING

By Graham Potter | Monday, July 13, 2009

The grand opening of something new heralded the return of an old favourite.

Sound Irish to you?

It’s not really that confusing. ‘Something new’ was the launch of the Cushion Track at Toowoomba, which controversially replaced the traditional turf surface. The ‘old favourite’ was jockey Stathi Katsidis, a local boy who rode a treble - including his first victory in a Toowoomba Cup - in only his fourth meeting back from a lengthy, seventeen month suspension and injury-enforced layoff.

Thankfully, after fifteen months of racing at the Cushion Track at Coloundra, we didn’t have to put up with the self-serving sales-talk from those promoting the new surface and the meeting didn’t have to take any hits from those who have always been opposed to the introduction of the synthetic track. That is not to suggest that all is now milk and honey between those of opposing viewpoints, but the fact is the new surface at Toowoomba is a ‘fait acompli’ and the only way to move is forward.

The meeting needed someone to put the horse and rider back in the spotlight - right where they are meant to be.

Enter Stathi Katsidis.

Katsidis is a riding talent of the highest order and his progress in his return to action was always going to be watched with keen interest by punters.

Yes, they know all about Katsidis’ long list of personal indiscretions which have impacted negatively on his professional career - but that matters little to those in search of a quality, reliable race-rider, the kind who can get a couple of lengths extra out of a horse in any grade and who can lift his mount over the line when strength is needed to compliment touch. When riding in a race Katsidis is a ‘punters friend’.

Man to man Katsidis is a personable, friendly and engaging character which adds further reason as to why his support base is so strong.

For most riders of all levels of ability being non-active for such a long period would normally require a transition period on return to allow the rider time to get up to speed both fitness and confidence-wise.

Katsidis gave punters a clue as to where he stood with regard to the fitness element after his comeback win on Cicarelli last Wednesday. Talking to HRO about his then two meetings back in the saddle, Katsidis stated, “I pulled up really good after Saturday. I thought my calves might be a bit sore, but they weren’t. I pulled up heaps better than I thought I would and the more rides I have the better my fitness will be, you would think ... but I feel heaps fit enough already. I feel very, very fit.”

Perhaps it was stronger than a clue ... it was more like a warning!

With his fitness in place, and with confidence never a doubt with the re-energised rider, Katsidis was due for a big day - and that it came sooner rather than later came as no surprise to his faithful band of supporters.

Fitness and confidence are attributes that can be worked at by anyone - but Katsidis has an edge in one area which leaves most of his rivals frustrated and floundering. It’s called natural talent - something that can’t be bought, something that when brought into play can leave fellow riders frustrated and rival mounts floundering. When on song, Katsidis is one of the best riders around and it is a pleasure to watch him in action - as it was at Toowoomba on Saturday.

That Katsidis’ major triumph on the day was scored in tandem with local trainer Rex Lipp added more spice to the day racing returned to Toowoomba.

Jussemi was Lipp’s fourth Toowoomba Cup winner and it came on the tenth anniversary of his first success in the race and on the fiftieth anniversary of the time when Lipp’s grandfather trained the winner of the race. The tradition of the race clearly is still in good hands.

There were other telling performances which added lustre to the day, most notably the emphatic win by Voice Commander in the Weetwood. Trained to the minute by Nick Olive and ridden with his now customary confidence by Tye Andland (who went home with a double on the day), Voice Commander triumphed with the minimum of fuss to underline his well above average ability.

But, at the end of the day, it was Toowoomba’s meeting for Toowoomba to celebrate.

That the players regained their prominence and drop-kicked politics right out of the park was probably the biggest win on the day. That should bring the loudest cheer of all.

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