By CASEY O’CONNOR
PETER Moody closed the door on his training facility last week, but not before a parting shot over the bows of Victorian racing by way of another Group One victory when Flamberge claimed a thrilling win in the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Moody began his six-month suspension, and has announced he will not return to the training ranks any time soon – if ever and never as a large scale public trainer.
The knock about bloke from Charleville, who has experienced all the highs and lows, has ruled out a return to racing at the end of his six-month suspension. He leaves the sport as the winner of 2400 races, 54 of them at Group One level. Not bad for a bloke who was happy to nail a maiden at Ipswich.
The Cobalt saga which has effectively ended Moody’s career has dragged on for over 18 months and despite being found not guilty of administering the substance, it has soured his joy of the game. His journey to try and clear his name would be enough to wear anyone down – not to mention his legal costs.
The ban is not the ideal way to exit the industry, but Moody’s record will stand the test of time. While we will always remember and reflect on the glory of the great Nellie, Black Caviar, his career never hinged on her success. He has trained six of the past seven Australian horses of the year. Unfortunately he never got to hold aloft one of the big ones a Melbourne Cup or Caulfield Cup, a Cox Plate or Golden Slipper.
Moody, who has seen and done it all from Western Queensland to Royal Ascot, remains a bloke of simple pleasures – enjoying a beer and a smoke.
While Moody says he is happy with his decision to call time on his career, he admits he will miss racing. Methinks racing is going to miss him – We have lost one of the few remaining real characters of the industry.
And what of the Cobalt saga – it still continues. Good call racing Victoria.
– Casey
NO EASTER FAVOURS
THERE were few if any Easter favours in the NRL results over the long weekend, however fans did get to dip into the box of chocolates and grab another taste of sensational football on Friday night when the Broncos and Cowboys turned on a repeat of the grand final fireworks – albeit with a different outcome.
Few would have dreamed that the game could or would live up to the hype after the grand final heroics, but Friday night’s game will stand on its own as another sensational example of all that is wonderful about the game of rugby league.
For this tipster, it was the highlight of a round of up and down results.
We kick off the round with the Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs at Brooky. Far from getting the chocolates, the Bunnies got skinned alive by the Bulldogs. Bunnies fans will be hoping for a return from Sam Burgess and perhaps that will be the difference. With no certainty, I am happy to give the Bunnies another chance.
This week the Broncos travel down the M15 on Friday night to Titans heartland in a clash with the young cousins.
The Titans have been showing much improvement, but I cannot to see them upsetting the Broncos.
Melbourne Storm players will have been facing the wrath of their coach all week after a dismal performance against the Sharks saw them beaten for the first time this season. Hard to see them repeating that performance against the Sharks.
The Cowboys are back at Dairyfarmers after that epic battle against the Broncos and should deal with the Dragons.
The Tigers Sharks encounter is a tough one for punters, but I am leaning towards the Sharks after their impressive win over Melbourne.
The Roosters remain winless, but I am prepared to give them one more chance before sacking them for the season and think they can get the points against the Warriors.
The Eels have been the surprise packet this season and despite some injury concerns should win a tough game against the Panthers.
On Monday night, the Dogs look too tough for the Raiders.
EASTER WIN FOR PURCEL
A SINGLE stroke event was decided on Saturday at Wallangarra. Shane Purcel and Steve Hampstead finished the event equal on 64 nett.
Following a countback, Purcel was declared the winner. Hampstead had to settle for the runner-up position. Scott Williams was only one shot back in third place.
The pin shots were also shared among the winners. Purcel nabbed the chocolates at three and 11 and Hampstead the ninth.
This week a single stableford has been scheduled for Saturday’s club event. An early reminder – the club championships will be played over the weekends of 16 and 17 April and 23 and 24 April. Important dates for your golfing diaries.
HOPPING ALL OVER THE COURSE
AFTER the work completed on the greens at the Stanthorpe Golf Club during the previous week, golfers were out and about seeking the Easter Bunny or at the very least “hopping” for good scores in the 4BBB medley stableford.
The event was won by the team of Dale Minchenton and Alan Kerr with a score of 49 points. Dale, who opened her winning account on the course only the previous week, and with playing partner Alan combined to go out with 26 points and 23 inward for their win. Graham Tonkin and Jake Mills also had a good round. The pair finished with 47 points to take out the runners-up spot.
Men’s pin shots went to Graham Tonkin at 3/12 and Aaron Simmers at 17.
Rachael Hendry had best pin shot for the ladies at 3/12 and Hannah Reeves had best approach at 17. Pro-pins went the way of Stephen Kay at 1/10, Simon Shannon (who sponsored the day) at 5/14 and Ian Harvey at 9/18.
There were several final scores of 46 points which was the limit of the run down.
The Special sponsor’s prize for the most appropriately dressed went to the team of Keith Barnett and Neta Thouard who dazzled the sponsor with their colourful attire.
Junior golf is on the calendar and is set to recommence on Tuesday 12 May, 3.30pm. Members are asked to pass on the information to junior golfers wishing to continue playing or who have a desire to get into the game.
The time for Pennants is almost upon us and any player who would like to put his name forward should contact Darryl Boekholt.
Rob McConnell, Warwick golf pro, will be at Stanthorpe this weekend. If you would like lessons or require special golf gear, give him a ring call.
Saturday is the April monthly medal and putting competition.
It is also the final round of the Pike Trophy, with the best two of three rounds to count, there are several players in contention. It is also the one round event – the Nuffield Cup.
The Nuffield Cup and the medal round is being sponsored by Mark McCosker. Tee off from 11.30am and the time sheet is on the board.
CONTRIBUTION OF COACH RECOGNISED
TRACEY Sexton who has been a coach with the Warwick RDA (Riding for the Disabled) for 10 years and recently was awarded the Condamine Sports Club volunteer of the Year Award.
Tracey, who also held the position of secretary of the organisation for several years, attends to the maintenance of the riding gear and also looks after the ponies.
Up to 15 children each week attend RDA, and Sexton also liaises with teachers and physiotherapists about each child’s individual circumstance and how their skills can be improved through the experience of riding.
Tracey was nominated by an RDA member, who highlighted her efforts in recruiting a group of volunteers mainly students from Scots PGC College and Assumption College which is a great initiative.
She has also travelled widely to RDA conferences to ensure Warwick RDA is kept up to date with the latest practices.
Tracey’s involvement in coaching extends beyond RDA, she has also been heavily involved in coaching at pony club level and also international school equestrian events.
A truly dedicated volunteer – without her dedication and expertise, it is unlikely RDA would taste the success that it currently enjoys.
NOT FOR FEINT HEARTED BUNNIES
INGLEWOOD was not the place for any feint-hearted bunnies over the Easter Break as the Great Easter Bunny Shoot got underway. It was fun for all (unless you were a bunny) a timed event, using a combination of single action and action pistol.
Of course, neither furry nor chocolate rabbits were harmed during the course of the event which kicked off with spotlighting rabbits Saturday night.
Rabbits were set up with reflectors for eyes. Shooters were stationed at the benches in the dark. When the spotlight hit the rabbit, the shooter had five seconds to aim and shoot with a total of five shots per event.
Of course the fun was not just restricted to Bunnies, there was the Ram silhouette hunt. With five target rams set on top of the 50 metre frames.
No truth that the Easter Bunny stole the final results – Tom Donald obviously had the most fun with silhouettes and spotlighting bunnies taking out the event ahead of Stephanie Dudgeon and Michael Dudgeon. There were plenty of players pleased that young Will Dudgeon was shooting junior because his score was better than the seniors.
In Sunday, two competitors Iain Bowen and Peter Solomon set up a jungle run Action Pistol competition which was shot using Centrefire and Rimfire pistols.
Results of the Centrefire were a win to Iain Bowen ahead of Peter Russell and Peter Solomon. Apparently Tom Donald hates the Glock.
In the Rimfire, Peter Russell claimed a win over Tom Donald and Stephanie Dudgeon.
In Monday morning’s action pistol event, Donald outmaneuvered Ray and Stephanie Dudgeon who finished in second and third sport. All in all, it was a great weekend on the range.
STANTHORPE / TEXAS OPEN THEIR ACCOUNT
THE recently merged Stanthorpe Gremlins and Texas Terriers will step out this weekend for the first time as the BRL 2016 season gets underway.
The Stanthorpe Texas side will play the Inglewood Roosters who are back in the competition after a couple of seasons in moth balls. The Stanthorpe / Texas side which will be coached by Nathan Shatte. That game will be played in Inglewood and there will be no preceding Ladies side as Inglewood will not be fielding a League Tag side this season.
The Wallangarra Rams will host the Tigers in their season opener. The Tigers were successful in the recent Men’s Round Robin and should go into this game as favourites. For the Tigerettes, it is the first game in their quest to secure three consecutive League tag premierships.
The Killarney Cutters have the bye this weekend.
ONE STEP CLOSER
AUSTRALIA took another step towards the next Football World Cup with an epic 5-1 win over Jordan in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night. The Socceroos are now into the third and final stage of World Cup qualifying and look likely to secure a berth in their fourth consecutive World Cup after topping their group and scoring 29 goals in eight games against quality opposition.
Never one to mince words, Aussie coach Ange Postecoglou took aim at the Australian public following this week’s big win – telling supporters to “Wake up and take notice – to respect the strength of his side after their Asian Cup triumph and stellar performances in the first round of qualification”.
Australia bounced back from a shock 2-nil defeat by Jordan early in their campaign, however the Socceroos have won every qualifier since.
The presence of English football icon Harry Redknapp in the Jordanian side failed to inspire the visitors who now must wait to see where they are ranked among four second-placed teams from the eight qualifying groups.
For the Australian, however, the game delighted a big crowd at Allianz who braved wet conditions to see the Socceroos what many described as a clinic of collective excellence.
No surprise that Tim Cahill starred, scoring twice in the first half. He did, however, squander an opportunity to grab a hat-trick with four minutes to play, side-footing his effort directly to the goalkeeper
Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic and Massimo Luongo were the other goal scorers in a superb effort.
Postecoglou urged sports fans not to lose sight of the strength and significance of the win, with a reminder that Jordan finished fifth in the last World Cup.
SHIELD NUMBER 30 PERHAPS
WHILE the Australian T20 cricket team make their way home after having their pants pulled down by an outstanding Indian cricket team who must be favourites to win the T20 World Cup on the domestic front, the final of the Sheffield Shield is drawing to a conclusion as this column is finalised.
With the Vics requiring just 98 runs, it is hard to imagine they will not wrap up back to back Shield wins on Wednesday in Adelaide.
The Redbacks will be looking for a miracle collapse to save their bacon, however, they are without their strike bowler Chadd Sayers and did not help their chances on day four with some sloppy fielding.
A win to the Bushrangers would break the 11 season hoodoo of away teams winning the final and give the Victorians their 30th Shield win. A figure Queenslanders can only dream of.
TOO MUCH IMPROVEMENT
WHEN is too much improvement too much? Winner of the Women’s division of the Stawell Gift and the $40,000 cheque teenager Talia Martin must be asking the question.
The 15-year-old has been fined $2000 for the extraordinary improvement in her time compared with two weeks ago in Ararat. In the Stawell final, she ran seven metres quicker than she had in Ararat.
Some, however, smell a rat saying the win has all the hallmarks of a 1960s Stawell Gift sting,” Over the history of the event, there are many stories of stings where it has all been about beating the handicapper.
Martin’s extraordinary win comes as she is dealing with the death of a close family member.
Stawell Gift chief steward Brian Marantelli said an improvement of that size – between Martin’s race time in Ararat and her race time in the Stawell Gift – was often not achievable over a lifetime, let alone in a matter of weeks.
Throughout the year, she has consistently run 14.5 seconds. She won the Gift on Monday -off a 13-metre handicap – in 13.7 seconds.
Martin’s odds with the bookmakers plunged from $21 on Friday to $5 before she ran Saturday to finally be odds on at $1.80 on Monday for the final.
Coach Peter O’Dwyer, a pro running veteran of the Gift, has coached the past three women’s gift winners -all teenagers.
He said Martin had won the junior Stawell Gift in the past two years as a 13- and 14-year-old, which proved she was a class athlete and her form exposed to handicappers.
Now if this was a horse race, Peter Bailey would be apoplectic and another 15-month-inquiry would no doubt ensue. However, luckily for the winner the Sponsors were only too happy to hand over the trophy and the winner’s cheque.
EASTER BREAK AFFECTS NUMBERS
THE Easter holiday break had an effect on numbers available for association croquet. With player numbers down, there was an opportunity for an early benchmark. Effey Russell played well in her game against Andrea Denkewitz. The final score a convincing 18-10. Joy Newman was at the top of her game also. She defeated heather Widderick 26-15 in their game.
In other games, Heather bounced back to team with Jenny Turnbridge and turned the tables on Joy Newman and Carol Verney – the score 23-17.
Margaret Dickenson and Val Sheppard proved too good against the team of Effey Russell and Andrea Denkewitz – scores 23-17.
A reminder that the Stanthorpe Croquet Club will be holding come n try days on 16 and 17 April.
