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Gold Coast City Cup Raceday A Huge Success

By Steve Hawkins

Promising stayer breaks his maiden

Gold Coast-based trainer Mel Eggleston believes Go Gerry will be a more than handy stayer next preparation after he won his maiden over 1800m (Southport Radiators and Air Conditioning 50th Anniversary Maiden) at the Gold Coast Saturday.

Go Gerry (Dan Griffin), a $100,000 yearling, was formerly prepared by Mel Eggleston’s good mate and Newcastle trainer Kriss Lees. Lees suggested to owners Rod and Patricia James they should send the gelding north to Eggleston after being dogged by wet tracks in NSW.

Go Gerry won easily by four lengths and was well backed $4.40 into $3.80 . He is a half brother to multiple black type winner Fitz’s Princess and is a late developer according to Eggleston. “He’s a late maturer and I think given a break will come back and be a more than handy 2000m plus horse,” he said.

Bailey’s Lady too strong

Trainer Trevor Bailey knew after a track gallop this week his well bred filly Eye Lady could win at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

The locally-based Bailey also knew it was one of the toughest maidens outside carnival time. “There were eight or nine chances and it was a very strong maiden,” Bailey said.

“Dan (Griffin) told me she’ll be better suited next time over 1200m where she can settle better,” he added.

Eye Lady, by the exciting sire Exceed and Excel, gave premiership winning rider Dan Griffin an early winning double and showed she’s a force to be reckoned with in the coming months.

Owned by Les Cowell and family and racing under the Ascot Lodge Racing syndicate, Eye Lady ($10) scored by one length was only having her second race start and, after being clearly headed in the straight, fought back to win running away from Lifebelt and the $3 favourite Gooniwiggal.

Morrisey knocks on Wood brothers

Gold Coast Trainer John Morrisey utilised the services of promising apprentices and brothers Mitchell and Justin Wood to rack a winning double at the Gold Coast Saturday.

The older of the siblings Justin piloted home $360,000 yearling purchase Radetsky to record a win in the Roman Hanson maiden over 1200m.

Morrissey has indicated the son of Falbrav will race through the grades in coming months at the Bundall circuit. “He (Radestsky) does have a lot of tricks this fellow, they are a funny breed,” said Morrisey.

Radetsky a four year old, was unwanted in the betting and ran $10, Newcastle visitor Palladium ($5) ran a mighty race to finish second whilst favourite ($2.60) Shadows “n” Stars showed a win is close with a solid third.

Radetsky is a half brother to champion Group One winner War Artist and multiple winner and Group One placegetter Sashenka.

Morrisey was in the winners circle again when Monching made it two wins from his last three appearances with a victory in the Adair Auto Air Products class one handicap. Monching ($3.20) a four year old by More Than Ready was ridden by Mitchell Wood. Early leader Catcher Man($3.80) was runner up and favourite South Grafton ($3)was third.

Mitchell and Justin Wood are from a racing family with their father Mark still an active jockey on the country circuit.

Hoofnote - Justin made it a big day with another winner in race 7 on Meet George for John Wallace giving him a double.

Meet George, first up since May, came from the rear of the field to win brilliantly and appears it will be a fruitful campaign for the promising gelding.

Trainer John Wallace has plenty of time for Meet George and wasn’t surprised with the ease of the win. Well tried favourite Power of George ($1.70) didn’t appear to handle the first up assignment and the big weight of 60.5kgs and finished midfield.

Trainer praises Jockey

Toowoomba based mentor Jim Bannon gave jockey Garry Baker a huge wrap after his seven year old home bred Just a Classic ($6) charged down the outside to win a class 3 over 1400m on Saturday at the Gold Coast Turf Club.

“Just a Classic has to be ridden a certain way,” said Bannon. “Gary (Baker) did exactly what I asked of him and look at the result,” he added.

Just a Classic is owned by a syndicate of hoteliers and an accountant headed by Gary Carter and they love their racing.

Just a Classic won by a length defeated deadheaters Oigles ($2.15fav) and Divineintervention ($17)

Bannon intends to step the gelding up to 1600m in the city next start in a no- metropolitan win race.

Warm victory in Gold Coast Cup.

Climate Change’s win in the feature race ‘Gold Coast City Cup’ might have been the topical tip of the day.

On a rare warm August day on the Coast, Climate Change (Ben Hull) won the feature race in front of over 6813 people at the popular Bundall track.

In one of the tightest finishes of the day (short half head) Climate Change gave trainer Alicia Willick another win on her home track.

The four year old mare Climate Change ($3.60) defeated a gallant Semisyn ($9) with an unlucky Need Luv ($11) third.

Bred and raced by the Pemberton family, headed by ex-Chairman of Qantas Gary Pemberton , Climate Change has now won two races with two placings from just eight starts.

The Pemberton family are great supporters of Gold Coast Turf Club.

Gold Coast Deputy Mayor Councillor Daphne McDonald made the presentations to connections.