The Melbourne Cup is over for another year and the lack of emphasis on staying races in Australia has never been highlighted more than in this year’s race. Only one of our local horses finished in the first ten (NIWOT in 8th) and it’s hard to see this trend changing in the future.
It was great to see quite a few Qld trainers taking on the Spring Carnival and congratulations to Jason McLachlan, Rob Heathcote and Liam Birchley for their success.
VALE MAUREEN OLSEN
Our deepest sympathy is extended to our good friend Larry Olsen and his family after the very sad loss of his wife Maureen who passed away after a short battle with cancer on Melbourne Cup Day. Larry is a fantastic ambassador for our Industry and there is no doubt that he would owe a lot of the success that he has had, in and out of the saddle, to the support from Maureen over the last 40 years. Maureen worked as a strapper and track-work rider around Queensland and had so many friends in Racing. Melbourne Cup day, which is already such a special day for the Olsen family, will ensure that Maureen will be remembered for a wonderful life for many years to come.
ATA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meeting of the Australian Trainers’ Association was held in Melbourne in October and I was able to attend and represent our Qld Trainers.
It is pleasing to report the ATA is in a strong position nationally, and also from a Qld perspective our state is being well recognised for the excellent initiatives that we have undertaken here over the last 12 months.
2012 AMBASSADOR TRAVEL RACETREE WAYNE WILSON MEDAL
The 2012 Ambassador Travel Racetree Wayne Wilson Medal has been won for the month of October by Brian Wakefield for his win at Rosehill with NUPTSE.
This 4yo mare by Bradbury’s Luck won the 1100m Handicap taking her wins to three from five starts and nearly $80,000 in prize-money. NUPTSE, named after a mountain near Mt Everest, went to Sydney earlier in the year to escape our big wet and won a race at Warwick Farm. Her other win came at Doomben prior to travelling back down to Sydney for her win on October 22nd. Being a Magic Millions purchase she may be aimed for a race at the Gold Coast in January. Brian has had to show quite a lot of patience with the mare and that now might be paying off as she looks to have matured into a nice horse with plenty of quality racing ahead of her.
The 12 monthly winners will be in the running for the 2012 Wayne Wilson Medal. The Medal is proudly promoted by the ATA and sponsored by Ambassador Travel and Racetree, with the winner receiving an all inclusive trip for two to the 2012 Cox Plate along with of course, the Wayne Wilson Medal. Thanks once again to our sponsors www.ambassadortravel.com.au and www.racetree.com.au
The Ambassador Travel Racetree Wayne Wilson Medal 2011-12
August : Tony Gollan, TEMPLE OF BOOM winning the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Hcp at Flemington
September : Robert Heathcote, BUFFERING and WOORIM winning at Mooney Valley
October : Brian Wakefield, NUPTSE winning at Rosehill
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One of the major benefits of being a member of the ATA is having a support network to go to if you have problems or concerns. We can’t solve them all, but we will take your issue on board and try and negotiate on your behalf where we can. Whatever the problem contact us and we will at the least, point you in the right direction. If you are not a member yet, now is the right time to join.
Call Cameron Partington on 0433-329-395 or email ataqld@austrainers.com.au for any further information about the Queensland Branch of the Australian Trainers’ Association.
