This year was the running of the thirty second Bathurst Gold Crown carnival covering the period 23 – 31 March 2018 at Bathurst Harness Racing Club’s (HRC) Gold Crown Paceway. The richest country series in Australia had its first ever Gold Crown tour, the nine day “Harness The History of Bathurst Tour” resulting from a partnership between Greg Tucker’s local travel company Panorama Cruise and Travel and the Bathurst HRC. Tours were provided by Ian Redpath’s Bathurst Tours company.
Refer to my earlier article (dated 19 March 2018) outlining history of the Gold Crown and Bathurst HRC by entering the link below :
https://baringbloodstock.com.au/2018-bathurst-gold-crown-carnival/
Gold Crown 2018
The inaugural Bathurst Gold Crown tour commenced on Saturday 24 March 218 with my wife and I being the only overseas guests privileged to be part of a small but select group of participants. Collected from Sydney Domestic Airport by Bathurst Tours mini coach and driven in the afternoon through to Bathurst, over the Blue Mountains by Panorama Travel’s director Greg Tucker.
FRIDAY 23 MARCH –
The racing carnival commenced on Friday evening before our arrival with five heats of the Gold Tiara for two year old pacing fillies. Winnersof the $7,000, 1730mMS heats were : Major Kiss, 1:58.5MR/dr Cameron Maggs; Writeaboutjess 1:56.7/dr Blake Jones; Glenledi Babe, 1:56.8/dr Chris Geary; Ally Rogan, 1:57.9/dr Dennis Picker; No Win No Feed, 1:58.9/dr Todd McCarthy
SATURDAY 24 MARCH –
Shortly after booking into our accommodation following a late afternoon arrival in Bathurst, we made our way to Bathurst Gold Crown Paceway. Saturday evening was enjoyed taking in the six two year old colts/geldingsGold Crown heats together with heats of the Honouree Stakes. We were located in the Gold Crown Restaurant where the evenings buffet meal was served.
Gold Crown heat winners –1730mMS, $7,000 – Soho Thunderstruck 1:55.9/dr Michael Stanley; Tactical Response, 1:57.1/dr Wayne Sullivan; Uncle Jord, 1:57.7/dr Anthony Frisby; Abouttime, 1:57.8/dr Nathan Jack; College Chapel, 1:54.6/dr Bernie Hewitt
SUNDAY 25 MARCH –
A short stroll to the Bathurst Showgrounds and we attendedGraeme Board and Co’s Gold Crown Yearling Sale.
A total of 117 yearlings (one trotter : lot 75, Yankee Spider/Petite Flair) were catalogued with an almost even split between the boys (54 colts/1 gelding) and 62 fillies with 22withdrawals on sales day. The sale consisted of a good selection of sires (36) covering all price brackets, imported and colonial bred, first season sires, progeny of a number which I was not familiar with seeing that they have not stood or had exported semen available to NZ breeders. Stallions represented various siring lines :
Western Hanover : Hes Watching/Heston Blue Chip (first season sires), A Rocknroll Dance, Rock N Roll Heaven, Western Terror, Well Said, Pet Rock, , Dawn Of A New Day; Artsplace (Abercrombie) : Art Major, Mr Feelgood, Grinfromeartoear, Modern Art, Sportswriter, For A Reason, Major Bronski, Follow The Stars (first season), Shoobees Place; Abercrombie/Laag : Lombo Pocket Watch; Meadow Skipper : River Khan; Yankee Spider : Valley Victory; Cam Fella : Roll With Joe, Bettorthancheddar, Caribbean Blaster, Village Jolt, Artistic Fella, Robin Hood, Four Starzzz Shark, Million Dollar Cam, John Street North, Passmaster Hanover; Direct Scooter : Courage Under Fire, Changeover, Auckland Reactor, Mach Three, Sunshine Beach/Fly Like An Eagle (first season sires), Alta Christiano.
The final offering of 95yearlingswith several passing in’ssaw 76 lots (clearance rate of 75%) sold for a turnover of $778,250, averaging $10,240 (colts $11,650, fillies $9,000), a new sales record and the first average of over $10,000 in the sales history.
There were four yearlings sold for $30,000 or more, with two fillies being sale toppers at $36,000 – Art Major/Ark Elaine(vendor Tony Dumesny) and Shoobees Place/Tick The Boxes(vendor Estate EH Carmody, offered by Paul Carmody). The leading priced colt was a Sunshine Beach/Gloria Lombo ($32,000; vendor Tony Dumesny) followed by a Shoobees Place/Lavish Art colt that went for $30,000 (vendor Lochend Stud/Paul Carmody).
The Heston Blue Chip colts and fillies stood out as particularly attractive propositions to my “unskilled” eye. They sold well, mostly in excess of the sale’s average.
Held in the Showgrounds cattle sales pavilion with adequate facilities consisting of tables/chairs and tiered seating for patrons, supplemented by bar and catering stalls for attendees. John Coffey as pedigree reader assisted various auctioneers including company principal Graeme Board.
MONDAY 26 MARCH –
Aside from the many activities that were provided for the tour group to enjoy, sufficient time still existed to enable participants to sample other aspects of Bathurst’s cultural heritage, Fossil and Mineral Museum, Regional Art Gallery, Bathurst Museum, Ben Chifley House, Miss Trails House and Garden.
Two major activities today started off with the heats for the three year old pacers – Gold Bracelet (fillies) and Gold Chalice (colts/geldings) during an afternoon’s racing at the Gold Crown Paceway. Dining was available in the Gold Crown Restaurant.
Gold Bracelet heat winners – 2260mMS, $7,000 – Major Occasion, 1:57.2/dr Anthony Frisby; Black Silhouette, 1:58.5/dr Chris Geary; Soho Burning Love, 1:59.1/dr Luke McCarthy
Gold Chalice heat winners – 2260mMS, $7,000 – Mackerel, 1:56.8/dr Bernie Hewitt; Brads Luck, 1:58.2/dr Bernie Hewitt; Code Bailey, 1:56.5/dr Luke McCarthy
Still on course that evening, the Gold Crown barrier draws and Calcutta’s for both finals (Gold Crown and Tiara) were held in the Trackside Marquee with a three course buffet meal for attendees.
TUESDAY 27 MARCH –
Continuing the harness racing theme, today’s tour trip took in a visit to The Lagoon area, the heart of Bathurst district harness racing. Inclusions were a visit to the racing/training centre of Steve and Jenny Turnbull followed by morning tea, then onto to Brooklyn Lodge, one of the biggest standardbred breeding facilities in Western NSW (Central Tablelands) to enjoy the hospitality of Doug and Janet Moore and Ben and Melanie Settree.
Tuesday evening was the 2018 Gold Crown Honouree Dinner hosted by the Mayor of Bathurst (Graeme Hangar) held at the Bathurst RSL Club. Aside from the alternate drop meal (main and desert), the evening celebrated the life and times of the 2018 HonoureesPeter &Marie Neil, who have a long association with the Bathurst Gold Crown and harness racing in general. Trading as Rayngold Proprietary Ltd, successful owners (1,280 winners to date; Oneinamillion, QLD Derby, second NZ bred in 1:50 and Veloce Cavallo $100,000 earner are just two of note) and breeders at Goulburn for many years with a broodmare band of twenty five. In addition, their training operation of thirty horses is based near Bathurst, under the watchful eye of long time trainer Peter Bullock. Their horses carry the Shannon name, often with multiple entries in races on their home track of Bathurst.
The Neills horses have been runners up on three previous occasions in a Gold Crown or Tiara. Involved with the Breeders Association, the Neills also helped found the NSW Owners Association. The Bathurst Board of Directors were unanimous with their selection of Peter and Marie to be this year’s Honouree’s.
Previous Bathurst Gold Crown Honourees :
are a virtual who’s who of Australian harness racing :
1990 – Mr Jimmy Caffyn
1991 – Mr Kevin Newman
1992 – Mr George Gath
1993 – Mr Jack Honan, Mr Bill Wise and Mr Noel Simpson
1994 – Mr Tony Turnbull
1995 – Mr Don Clough
1996 – Mr Brian Hancock
1997 – Mr Ken Dyer
1998 – Mr Harry Pearce
1999 – Mr Mick Lombardo
2000 – Mr John Tapp
2001 – Mr Wayne and Mrs. Anne Lamb
2002 – Dennis Wilson
2003 – Ken Brown AM
2004 – Bob McArdle
2005 – The Jack family
2006 – The Manning family
2007 – The Dumesny family
2008 – Mr Chris Gray
2009 – Mr Steve Turnbull
2010 – The Fitzpatrick family
2011 – Jayne Davies and Noel Alexander
2012 – The Hando Family
2013 – Doug and Janet Moore
2014 – Mr John Coffey
2015 – Mr Chris Alford
2016 – McCarthy Family
2017 – Mr Kevin Thompson
2018 – Mr Peter and Mrs Marie Neil
WEDNESDAY 28 MARCH –
Wednesday morning provided an opportunity to enjoy a private historic tour of Bathurst, Australia’s oldest inland settlement. With an array of differing architecture covering Victorian and Federation periods, it included a selection of local brick workers cottages through to three storey homes (mansions). Other sights viewed included Australia’s oldest inland church, Cobband Co’s Bathurst offices, historical flour mills, Railway Station, parks and gardens.
Wednesday evening was Ladies night at the Gold Crown Paceway. In addition to the Silver/Bronze Consolations for the two year olds (Gold Crown/Gold Tiara), the Lexus of Dubbo Lady Drivers Invitational,Honouree Consolation,the Gold Coronet for three year trotters and Trotters Cup were competed for. The evening also featured Fashions On The Field for participants broken into three categories – couples; women under forty and women over forty. Tour participants were situated in the comfort of the club’s VIP Trackside Marquee with private tote, bar and where the evenings three course buffet meal was served.
Gold Tiara Silver consolation – 1730mMS, $10,000 – Lady Magenta, 1:57.4/dr Chris Geary
Gold Tiara Bronze consolation – 1730mMS, $6,000 – Sports Talk, 1:57.4/dr Douglas Hewitt
Gold Crown Silver consolation – 1730mMS, $10,000 – Salvator Mundi, 1:58.1/dr Cameron Maggs
Gold Crown Bronze consolations – 1730mMS, $6,000 – Kiwi Stride, 1:58.4/dr Luke McCarthy; Caribbean Jack, 1:58.3/dr Matt Rue
Bathurst Trotters Cup – 2790mMS, $10,600, All Royal Gal, T2:02.3/dr Peter Morris
2018 Bathurst GOLD CORONET, 1730mMS, $10,000, Listed :PRINCESS MILA (2014 Majestic Son/Zhari Belle, family of Fosters mare A 131), owners David& AL Jack, trainer/driver David Jack, T2:13.8/T2:04.4, 1½m, 11m, $2.30 favourite [T2:03.4, $29,470]
THURSDAY 29 MARCH –
An Ambrose Golf Day was held at Bathurst Golf Club although none of our tour party participated. A round of golf, lunch and prizes were all part of the days package.
Alternatively, our tour party undertook a tour of historic Hill End which was originally settled in the 1850s as a gold mining town. It was really put on the map in October 1872 with the discovery of the world’s largest gold nugget in the Star of Hope mine which weighed in at 286kg. Hill End is a living historical museum featuring more than simply mining memorabilia,operated by the quirky Malcolm Drinkwater. Lunch was enjoyed at the Royal Hotel built in 1872 before a short visit to the Visitors Centre and a brief stroll through streets no different than they were in the famous Gold Rush days of the 19th century.A relaxing drive to the hilltop lookout with great views where the world’s largest nugget was discovered rounded out an enjoyable days outing.
In the evening, the Miss Gold Crown Cocktail Reception was held at the Bathurst Goldfields situated on Conrad Straight (motor racing track) providing a great view of the harness racing track. Tour guests attended where the festivities included a two course buffet meal (main/dessert), drinks package, DJ and dancing for those inclined.
FRIDAY 30 MARCH (GOOD FRIDAY) –
One did wonder how we would spend Good Friday but again our tour package came to the rescue with an enlightening days programme. A pleasant drive through beautiful countryside was enjoyed with morning tea on the way to Cowra. After arriving in Cowra, a visit to the war cemetery and WWII Prisoner of War camp was undertaken. A visit to the famous Cowra Japanese Gardens with lunch in the garden’s café was followed by an extensive walk around the traditional Japanese Gardens. This rounded out a relaxing days activities.
SATURDAY 31 MARCH – FINALS NIGHT –
Gold Crown finals day dawned fine and prior to Finals night we visited the remarkable Abercrombie House which is a 51 room Scottish baronial castle with seven staircases, 31 fireplaces and a gold leafed 8.1m ceiling in the ballroom. This stunning home belongs to the local Morgan family and was built in 1878 from blue stone granite and sandstone.We visited on the forty ninth anniversary of the opening of Abercrombie House to the public. Close to fifty years work by the Morgan’s allow this mansion to be viewed including marble fireplaces, grand staircase, servant’s stairs, Stables Village (including accommodation), Chapel and much more.
Setting off in the late afternoon for the Gold Crown Paceway and the by now familiar Trackside Marquee, the tour group eagerly looked forward to witnessing the running of the 2018 Group Onetwo year old finals for the colts/geldings (Gold Crown) and fillies (Gold Tiara) together with the Group Two three year old finals for colts/geldings (Gold Chalice) and fillies (Gold Bracelet). In addition, the Gold Consolations were held for the two and three year old pacers. The nights racing included the Bathurst Mayors Pacing Cup and Honouree Stakes final. Another superb two course meal and canapes awaited us in the marquee.
Little did we know of the drama that would beset finals race night. Shortly after the three year old fillies for the Gold Bracelet (race four) had commenced their preliminaries, a power cut plunged the whole course into darkness. Close to two hours later after much effort by course and local electricians who offered their services, proceedings returned to normal with the remaining seven races completed, albeit three quarters of an hour later than originally scheduled. A tremendous effort by all concerned and we did get fed, under candle light but with food that was hot thanks to the gas appliances in use in the marquee.
Gold Tiara Gold consolation – 1730mMS, $20,000,Brooklyn’s Best, 1:56.6/dr David Druitt
Gold Crown Gold consolation –1730mMS, $20,000, Hurricane Roy, 1:56.2/dr Brad Hewitt
Gold Bracelet Gold consolation winner – 2260mMS, $11,440, Love My Sister, 2:01.7/dr Luke McCarthy
Gold Chalice Gold consolation – 2260mMS, $11,440,Maximus Red, 1:57.6/dr Amanda Turnbull
Honouree Stakes Final – 2260mMS, $21,200, Million Dollar Gem, 1:53.2/dr John O’Shea
Bathurst Mayors Cup -2260mMS, $14,840, Ultimate Art, 1:54.5/dr Michael Formosa
2018 Bathurst GOLD CROWN –1730mMS, $100,000, Group One : COLLEGE CHAPEL (2015 Mach Three/Meljoy, family of Bucklands mare, A27), owners Gary and Margaret Meredith, trainer/driver Bernie Hewitt, 2:03.1/1:54.5, 1.8m, 6.6m, $1.90 favourite [1:52.6, $76,225], race record defeating Castalong Shadow’s 1:55.2 (2017)
2018 Bathurst GOLD TIARA– 1730mMS, $100,000, Group One : MAJOR KISS (2015Art Major/Kiss Kenny, family of Lizzie Weatherspoon, U8), owners David and AL Jack, trainer/driver David Jack, 2:05.9/1:57.1, 2.8m, 2½m, $6.30 [1:57.1, $64,490]
2018 Bathurst GOLD CHALICE – 2260mMS, $57,200, Group Two : LIFEONTHEBEACH(2014Somebeachsomewhere/Arterial Way, family of Peri, N21), owner Terence Flynn, trainer John McCarthy/driver Todd McCarthy (father and son combination), 2:42.2/1:55.5, head, 3m,$17.80 [1:54.4, $57,635]
2018 Bathurst GOLD BRACELET – 2260mMS, $57,200, Group Two :ART SERIES (2014Bettors Delight/Sheezallattitude, family of Arrogance, N59), owners Greg and Mandy Taggart, trainer Steve Turnbull/driver Amanda Turnbull (father and daughter combination), 2:40.8/1:54.5, short half head, 2½m $44.70 [1:54.5, $79,495], equalled Cyclone Kate’s track record set at last year’s Carnival
An excellent nights racing was enjoyed by a large crowd, most of whom remained on course even allowing for the power cut that interrupted proceedings mid evening. Mention needs to be made of Chris Gray, on course MC for the carnival as well as Calcutta/Barrier Draw, Honouree Dinner and Cocktail reception for a job very well done.
SUNDAY 1 APRIL –
Departure day for all involved in this year’s first ever Bathurst Gold Crown carnival tour.In what has to be NSW’s favourite harness racing week, the very professional promotion of this event and work undertaken by a dedicated Bathurst club committee was clearly evident. An extremely enjoyable tour thanks to all the efforts of local club officials and staff (in particular President Wayne Barker, Director Robert Chew, CEO Danny Dwyer, Sponsorship and Marketing Marianne Donnelly), Panorama Cruise and Travel (Greg Tucker) and Bathurst Tours (Ian Redpath) – the tour was a great success which augurs well for next year and future tours to the Bathurst Gold Crown carnival. All of those mentioned and many others were extremely friendly, welcoming and included the tour group in all activities.
Peter Craig
6 April 2018
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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