Jockey merry-go-round on Maharba in Hareeba Stakes
With the potential of a jockey shortage at Mornington, trainer Grahame Begg and owner Gary Towzell got on the front foot in the search of a jockey for Maharba at Mornington.
The three-year-old runs in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) on Saturday, but longer-term Wagga-based Towzell has his eyes on a feature race at home next month.
With that in mind, Wagga-based jockey Danny Beasley was offered the mount at Mornington with the view to riding Maharba in the Wagga Town Plate (1200m) on May 2.
After initially accepting the offer, Beasley contacted Begg on Monday to turn the Mornington ride as he was unable to get a flight to and from Melbourne on Saturday in time for a near full book of rides at Wagga the following day.
It was a scramble for Begg afterwards to find a jockey, eventually contacting leading New Zealand rider Michael Mcnab who is in Melbourne to partner Nereus in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m).
“Jockeys were always going to be a premium on Saturday,” Begg said.
“I thought I had a jockey, especially with a jockey shortage with those going to Perth and Sydney, but he was unable to make it, which made it a bit tickly, so we were left scrambling around.
“He’s owned in Wagga by Gary Towzell and he wants to have a runner in the Town Plate, so that’s why he asked me to book Danny Beasley.
“I asked him to come and ride him on Saturday to get the feel of him, but it’s fallen through.
“I did read a story that Michael was coming over to ride in the Mornington Cup, so I was straight on the phone.”
That jockey merry-go-round has added to the frustration Begg has had with Maharba this campaign.
Begg was rueing the lack of suitable three-year-old sprinting options for the gelding during the autumn and was eyeing off the Country Discovery (1200m) at Yarra Valley on Good Friday.
However, Maharba missed a run there when he was an emergency while on Saturday the gelding has drawn gate 13 in the 15-horse field.
“He missed that run at Yarra Valley, which was disappointing, but he’s had a 1000-metre jump-out, so he all’s good to go, but he’s drawn a poor gate,” Begg said.
More Racing News
Aztec out to book trip inter-State
Aztec State will be racing for more than the $82,500 winner’s cheque when he steps up to 2000 metres for the first time at Caulfield this Saturday. Ben Hayes still holds Queensland Derby aspirations with the son of Pierro, who will put his credentials on the line in the $150,000 Tobin Brothers Celebrating...
David Payne on weather watch with Hawkesbury hopefuls
David Payne is one of many trainers keeping a close eye on the weather ahead of the stand-alone meeting at Hawkesbury and he is keen for the rain to stay away. Payne has promising filly Trafalgar Square readied for the Clarendon Stakes (1400m) along with State Of America for the Midway Handicap (1500m), while...
Chris Waller two-pronged in his bid for a sixth Wagga Cup
Nash Rawiller isn’t riding in the Listed Wagga Gold Cup, but he has been instrumental in the course of one horse’s path to the $200,000 country showpiece. Rawiller partnered Political Debate first-up when he closed late over an unsuitable 1400m and after handling him in a subsequent track gallop, he wanted to stick...
Weighty advantage for Butch Cassidy in Hawkesbury Guineas
A seven-kilo weight turnaround has Tulloch Lodge colt Butch Cassidy in the box seat to land an overdue stakes win in the Group Three Hawkesbury Guineas. Beaten less than a half-length by Panic in the South Pacific Classic (1400m) last start when conceding his rival six kilos, Butch Cassidy will carry a kilo...
Three shots at South Australian Derby 2024 success
An alteration to the programming for the South Australian Derby has led to the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable requiring a change of planning with tAn alteration to the programming for the South Australian Derby has led to the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable requiring a change of...
Classy pair tempt jockey Tommy Berry to head north
An opportunity to ride the leading fancies in a brace of Group Two races has lured top Sydney jockey Tommy Berry to Eagle Farm for the Queensland Guineas meeting. Berry has picked up the plum mount on Victory Stakes (1200m) favourite Uncommon James, while he will renew his association with Ducasse in the...
Wilde about Grand Annual Steeplechase success
Local trainer Symon Wilde has registered a third victory in Australia’s most gruelling race, the Grand Annual Steeplechase when outsider Count Zero staged a form reversal to land the prize. Count Zero was backing up from finishing last in the Brierly Steeplechase (3450m) on Tuesday, more than 35 lengths adrift of the winner...
Kiwi makes Aussie debut in Wangoom Handicap
Class rose to the top with Group 1 winner Tuvulu lumping a big weight to victory in the Listed Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool. Regarded as the ‘Newmarket of the bush’ Tuvalu carried 61.5kg to land the 1200m contest on Wednesday and earn himself a trip to Queensland for the Winter Carnival. Ridden by...
Fernie to join Perth raiders in Adelaide
An influx of Western Australian raiders for Adelaide’s racing carnival has grown with Luke Fernie set to target black-type races with two of his stable stand outs. Quality mare Laced Up Heels confirmed a second interstate trip following another top run Ascot on Saturday and Be Optimistic is poised to return after a...
Wide Hawkesbury Guineas draw no reason to Panic
Michael Freedman has been hoping for a chance to have Panic ridden with cover, but he is unlikely to get it this weekend after the horse drew the second outside gate in the Hawkesbury Guineas. Panic raced outside the leader to post a fighting win in the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) at...