GOLD COAST JAN 01 - THE QUICK WRAP

By Graham Potter | Tuesday, January 1, 2013

The death of a race rider will always shock the racing industry. Never mind the known dangers that jockeys joust with each time they go out into combat, racing’s worst case scenario will forever be a sobering experience … and so it was that racing in Queensland in 2013 got off to a sombre start at the Gold Coast on New Year’s day with a minutes silence being observed at the track following the untimely death of the 26 year old, Kiwi born rider Ashlee Mundy.

Mundy, who had made the Gold Coast her home for the last two years, died after sustaining serious head injuries in a fall at the Kurow Cup meeting in North Otago the previous Sunday. HRO’s heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Ashlee Mundy.

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There were two time-honoured features on the Gold Coast card … the Bat Out Of Hell and The Goldmarket. The former went to Trevor Stevens trained outsider All That, who struck gold in spite of being unwanted in the betting at $21. Even in the moment of her biggest win, jockey Tegan Harrison, who produced a copybook ride on the winner, still had Ashlee Mundy in her thoughts.

“Yeah, it was half emotional for me after all that has happened this week with Ashlee,” said Harrison. “So when I was going to the gates I did feel pretty privileged to be the only girl in the race. Given the sad circumstances of the week I did feel that I was out there riding for all of us, and of course Ashlee … and I’m pretty thrilled and proud of myself with the way things worked out. I was definitely trying to do it for the girls.”

The Noel Doyle trained Biggles, who had finished second in both the Brisbane Handicap and the Recognition in his previous two starts, earned a well-deserved victory in the Goldmarket. It was Doyle third success in the race … his previous winners being Beau Zephyr in 1988 and Atlantic Crossing in 1995.

“I just gave him a trot and canter and a swim here and there and he was a happy horse," said Doyle.

“So we came here today for the 1300. He was always travelling nice and, by Jim, when he sees then coming he digs in deep for the fight. He just won’t give up."

The other significant result on the day was the win of the Tony Gollan trained Global Dream, whose success in the opening race on the card elevated the daughter of Fastnet Rock into the starting line-up Magic Millions 2yo Classic.

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There was an interesting protest at the Gold Coast where Michael Cahill got Miss Bradbury home in the steward’s room and finishing as runner-up to Precious Mandy on the track.

“Despite her beginning well, I sort have had to take her back to find cover,” explained Cahill. “I was confident pretty much all through the run and I was disappointed straight after the race that I hadn’t got the result, but I was brushed when the inside runner came out.

“It felt like she was just about to hit the front when the brush occurred. With a margin of a half-head I felt that made the difference between winning and losing and fortunately the stewards saw it that way.”

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Fines
Race 4. A. Butler - App Jockey - Overweight - $200.00 - AR120(b)
Race 6. T. Harrison - App Jockey - Celebratory gesture - $200.00 - AR137(c)

SCTC 30.12.12
Race 6. R. Wiggins - Jockey - Failed to weigh in as 3rd placegetter - $300.00 - AR144

Suspensions
Race 3. T. Bell - Jockey - Careless riding - 6 meetings (m/n2.1.13 - m/n11.1.13) - AR137(a)
Race 3. D. Browne - Jockey - Careless riding - 5 meetings (m/n2.1.13 - m/n10.1.13) - AR137(a)
Race 4. G. Cooksley - Jockey - Careless riding - 7 meetings (m/n2.1.13 - m/n12.1.13) - AR137(a)

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