A treble to Patrick Lo was one of the highlights of the racing at Gunsynd Park on Saturday, August 4 while Gatton trainer Ben Robinson contributed by training two of the three winners that Lo rode.
Racing on a Dead 4 surface, the first race was the Opus International/Saferoads Benchmark 65 Handicap. The Donald Baker trained Thegreatandthegood was a short priced favourite and appeared to have the form on the board after a close second on the Toowoomba cushion and a creditable forth in the St George Cup.
Thegreatandthegood was perfectly positioned on the fence behind the leader and looked all over a winner when the gap appeared but Patrick Lo brought Ultra to the centre of the track and got up by the barest of margins to get the thick end of the prise. Bernadecio finished strongly running third.
The track was upgraded to a Good 3 following the running of the first race and the Tweed Traffic Control Class B saw a very even field head to the starter. Ben Robinson, fresh from his first race success saddled up Shiner who went around at the very good odds of $7.
This was the successful second leg for both trainer and jockey Patrick Lo. Hard court Play finished second with the Toowoomba trained Authoritive back in third place after jumping from an outside alley.
Feature event was the RPMS/Bulmer Open Handicap and Beachcomber was all the rage. Mayamac was the early leader in the race from the two alley and it and Beachcomber had a real head on to go in front. But the weight got the better of Beachcomber and it was left up to the two first up horses, Counterspy and Rattle N Run to fight out the finish.
The Garah trained Counterspy got the nod and gave Moree-based jockey, Paul Payne a well deserved win. Counterspy started at $10 with Rattle N Run also a $100 chance beating the local horse Cheque for Freedom also at $10.
Race 4 was the Gollan Racing/Bahram Stud & Doyle Group Maiden Plate over 1000m. In another very open race, Locally trained In My Face ($10) trained by Sheree McEwan brought his consistent form to Gunsynd Park to take out the money.
In my Face was third at Gilgandra and second at Mungindi and proved far too strong for Flash Apache ($21) and Chris Maund, who only got a run after scratchings in the field. Forever Yours ($8) was third.
The last was the smallest field of the day but a quality field of Class 2 horses assembled for the race. Roma Trained Couraliie Star was sent out favourite for the event and after an early speed battle between Riviera Moss and Magic John, jockey Patrick Lo booted Banderin to the lead at the top of the straight and held off a determined finish by Couarllie Star to give him a treble.
Banderin ($5)is trained at Killarney by Les Clarke and made it two from two following a very strong win at Kilcoy at his previous start. Couraliie Star ($3) was second with the Moree trained Sally Supreme ($11) finishing third.
It was a great days racing at Gunsynd Park as the club prepares for their XXXX Gold Cup meeting on Saturday, September 8. This is always an outstanding meeting and is a part of the great “Gourmet in Gundy” weekend.
Photo courtesy of Three Way Photos
