Horses Tony McMahon
Premium Content
Subscriber only
At first glance at the jockeys list for Thursday’s Rockhampton Jockey Club eight race TAB meeting, one could be excused for misconstruing it as a metropolitan register.
Not so of course but the names of Robbie Fradd, Bobby El-lssa, Matthew McGillivray, Ryan Wiggins, and Brad Pengelly have all featured most prominently on metropolitan tracks.
That is not by any means dismissing the talents of Nathan Day, Ashley Butler, Chris Whiteley, Les Tilley and one of the most naturally gifted and talented as them all in Ric McMahon.
The latter had Brisbane racing at its throat not so many years back with numerous feature race wins during an association with top notch horses such as Better Than Ready.
Despite jumping from the outside gate and conceding considerable experience to her seven older rivals that had won more than $1.2 million in prizemoney, Aleysa’s Dream defeated them meritoriously.
Jockey Evans makes triumphant return home Jockey Nathan Evans was all smiles after winning the 2021 Rocky Amateurs Cup. Photo Tony McMahon.
News Tony McMahon
Premium Content
Subscriber only
Toowoomba jockey Nathan Evans made a triumphant return home when he landed imposing grey Factory Warrior ($5) a narrow winner of the $30k Rocky Amateurs Cup (1600m) at
Rockhampton’s Callaghan Park races on Saturday.
On a busy 10-race card where exciting and close finishes dominated, Factory Warrior won by a half-head from an unlucky and fighting Mr Phenomenal ($13) with The Tax Accountant ($4.40) a nose away third.
Factory Warrior is trained in Toowoomba, where Evans has been based for well over a decade by Mark Currie.
Premium Content
Subscriber only
HORSE RACING: Warwick Cowboys players and supporters saddled up today for their third annual race day at the Warwick Turf Club. Despite the heatwave conditions, it was a big day for local names with a Toowoomba-based trainer winning the main race of the day. The Basil Nolan Jnr Memorial race, a tribute to the formers Cowboys player, was won by Short Sara trained by Michael Nolan and ridden by Les Tilley. Peta Calada and Winter Rain came second and third respectively. The event is a major fundraiser for the rugby league team and was the first opportunity to host an event with the women s field team.
Jockey back on track in Rocky with five rides Jockey Les Tilley has five engagements on the seven-race TAB Rockhampton Jockey Club program on Tuesday.
Horses Tony McMahon
Premium Content
Subscriber only
Jockey Les “Bubba” Tilley will end an 11-week absence from race riding in Rockhampton when he hits the track at Callaghan Park races on Tuesday with five rides.
With the disruption resulting in a frenetic year of racing in 2020 because of the dreaded COVID-19, Tilley - once a regular at Rockhampton meetings - has been concentrating on south-east Queensland venues.
Over the years, some career highlights that have netted Tilley almost 500 winners have taken place for the 26 year old lovable larrikin of a jockey at Callaghan Park racecourse.