Almanac Horseracing: It seemed like a good idea at the time – travels with the horse (Part 2)

 

 

(Briseis Eclipse, trainer Paul Preusker, jockey Cian MacRedmond)

 

 

Overseas visitors to our shores are often stunned by our languid insouciance when it comes to travelling long distances.

 

Think here, local Irish folk were aghast when they learnt on our recent trip that the child bride and I had proposed to travel from Dublin to Galway and back the same day – just a bit over two hours in each direction but an easy drive on a major expressway. “Well, if you really have to be going to Galway, I wouldn’t be starting here!”

 

But at almost twice this distance from Geelong to Warracknabeal and back, local sporting journalist, promoter and Briseis Club President, John Craven and I thought an eight hour return trip was a great idea for a drive last Saturday. It would enable us to watch Briseis Eclipse, a horse raced by the Geelong-based Briseis Club, compete in a 1200 metre maiden event which lasted just over a minute.

 

Regular readers may recall from an earlier column that the Briseis Club is a philanthropic group of local racing enthusiasts who promote racing in the Geelong area and provide funding to the Barwon Sports Academy and other community sporting projects. We also collectively own a small part share of Briseis Eclipse, a three-year-old filly in her first preparation. We have lots of fun following her fortunes, for better and for worse.

 

Revelle at 0600 hours and on the road an hour later.

 

Having made a not dissimilar trip two months earlier to watch the same horse compete at Ararat, we were both gob-smacked at the difference in the rural scenery. The bare brown hued barren paddocks on our previous trip were now noticeably much greener after the welcome June rains – although local farmers still need more.

 

 

However, race day was not without its hiccups. The meeting was scheduled for Donald but was transferred to Warracknabeal by the stewards because of the soggy unsuitable state of the track. Sounds like the farmers may have had their prayers answered after all. Good luck to them.

 

Moreover, our horse was first emergency, again, but gained a start after an overnight scratching; the track was a Heavy 8; she drew the outside barrier; and her originally listed jockey, Linda Meech had, understandably, accepted a ride on another horse when we were listed as an emergency.

 

And just for good measure, Warracknabeal was engulfed on Saturday morning by a heavy Wimmera fog that seemed reluctant to lift. Would we even get a start? Racing is rarely all beer and skittles.

 

But we eventually reach our destination. Welcome to Warracknabeal (pop 2359). Major employers are GrainCorp – a major grain handling and storage company – and the health and aged care sector including Warracknabeal Hospital.

 

Warracknabeal is a long-standing Wimmera Football League powerhouse which has produced many VFL/AFL players, the most famous of which was Russell “The Muscle” Crow, 158 games as ruckman with Fitzroy in the 1960s.

 

Adjacent to the derestriction sign at the northern end of the township, right on the Henty Highway, we find the Warracknabeal Racing Club where they have been going around since the 1890s.  A favourable omen on arrival. The first person we bump into is our trainer, Paul Preusker.

 

(John Craven & Paul Preusker)

 

And at Stall 85 we find “our girl”. She looks bright and lively. And so she should be. She has only had to travel half an hour away from Horsham compared with our four-hour ordeal.

 

“Hello! Aren’t you that loser I met at Ararat?”

 

 

 “Hey get this, when they put this gear on me, I can move my ears sideways. Bet you can’t do that!”

 

As they head towards the barrier, we learn we are up against an odds-on favourite, French Navy, the Simon Wilde trained horse Linda Meech opted to ride. Two others are at single figure odds and Briseis Eclipse starts at $10. In the absence of an on-course TAB, thank you so much Gillon McLachlan, I quickly lodge a last moment each-way bet with a bookie. He looks equal parts surprised and grateful at my patronage as I see my modest details recorded near the top of his ledger.

 

“Off in the first…” calls racecourse announcer Ric McIntosh.

 

“…French Navy didn’t jump the best but Murmullo and Briseis Eclipse have begun well…” Music to our ears.

 

“…but Briseis Eclipse is now sixth and wide…” Damn that outside barrier.

 

“…this fog makes it pretty difficult, I can tell you. Murmullo comes out through the fog though and is not waiting for anybody, two lengths in front of the rest. French Navy racing a little greenly and it’s come off the bridle early…” Great, the favourite is no good thing.

 

“…up towards the corner, Murmullo has got them all off the bit, French Navy getting into the clear, then the outside Briseis Ecplise…” Hmm, OK then, maybe a place.

 

“…but Murmullo has run them ragged here, French Navy has run second after that costly poor start. Briseis Eclipse another good run, I think it has run third from Bishop’s Choice”. Good girl, gutsy run, bloody sensational run John, covered more ground than all bar the winner and still gets the place cheque, what a run…etc

 

((L-R) Kilmer 5^th, Bishop’s Choice 4^th, Briseis Eclipse 3^rd, French Navy 2^nd, Murmullo, winner just out of shot at RHS)

 

The handful of Briseis Club members near the winning post are effusive with our compliments and wait for the post-race assessments of both jockey and trainer.

 

 

Despite what looks like tense body language, this was actually quite a cordial conversation between the two of them. As I eavesdropped, it was clear that Preusker was grateful that recently arrived Irish jockey Cian MacRedmond managed to get cover and secure a good position up front despite the outside barrier.

 

(Cian MacRedmond & John Craven)

 

For his part, MacRedmond’s feedback was very favourable. I even resist my erratic urges to ask him if he has ridden winners at all courses between The Curragh and Galway!

 

“She doesn’t have an explosive burst of speed but she grinds away and gets to a high level cruising speed which she can maintain without tiring. She’ll win a race in the very near future, no question.”

 

 (L-R) John Craven, Paul Preusker, Trevor & Julie Cantwell)

 

Paul Preusker assures us he is of the same opinion. Apparently, she pulled up well and only had a “small blow.” When playfully asked if he realises there are racecourses closer to Geelong, he smiles but insists the next start will be carefully planned somewhere around the Wimmera/Mallee. He stresses the importance of finding the right race to win a Maiden first. More adventurous career starts can be considered after that. He makes a good point.

 

(John Craven & RDL) Despite only learning they were hosting a replacement meeting at three o’clock on Friday afternoon, the Warracknabeal Committee deserves full marks for their race-day management including refreshments in the owners/trainers’ room. Your grateful author tucks into the country hospitality to prepare for the return trip.

 

After exhausting ourselves with racing conversation by the time we get to Stawell, the two of us then take turns to snooze while the other drives.

 

You may be able to see the vision of the race courtesy of Racing.com HERE

 

Read more from Roger Lowrey HERE

 

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