Good mates are bound for Brisbane

WINNER: Gobou strides home in the Milner Constructions Open Handicap.

CHRIS ISON CI--

YOUNG Rockhampton trainers Craig Howell and Clinton Garland, good mates, are Brisbane-bound with yesterday’s impressive Callaghan Park winning sprinters Falvadore and Gobou.

Howell’s father, Nick “The Patriarch” Howell, popped the question “just how good is he” as masterly Sunshine Coast jockey Damian Browne brought Falvadore ($2.25) into the winners’ stall after taking out the Class 5 (1200m).

Browne, having his first ride on Falvadore, quickly gave the answer that The Patriarch wanted to hear – “he’s pretty good”.

In a copybook rails-hugging ride from Browne, Falvadore, by no means a big horse, sneaked along the inside in the straight to win in a class record 1 minute 9.9 seconds.

“There’s a race coming up for him in Brisbane in a few weeks’ time and I think that is the way to go,” Craig Howell said, hoping that Browne would be available again.

About 40 minutes later it was Garland’s turn after his giant Snaadee (US) sprinter Gobou ($2.90) bounded clear in the last few strides to win the Open Handicap (1200m) under the steadier of 60kg.

Kelvin Wharton, riding in peak form, timed Gobou’s run to a nicety, coming from about six lengths back on the home turn to wear down cheeky Rogerrab (Renee Hinricks, $7) and win by 0.75 lengths, with Clive Large’s consistent More That Ready (US) stallion Ready Royal (John Stephens, $12) a length back third.

Gobou’s owner Margaret Garland was stuck for words as she greeted her $2000 buy in the enclosure, which was not surprising because a vocal demonstration, a rarity on a racecourse in this era, was being staged by a disgruntled supporter of runner-up Rogerrab.

For once Margaret’s son Clinton did the talking: “We leave for Brisbane with Gobou and two other horses on Wednesday.

“Gobou will run in the Country Cup over 1400m at Eagle Farm on Saturday week,” he said.

Wharton will have another prized Rockhampton mount on that same Doomben card when he rides Aspiran in an Open Handicap (1000m).

Canny Toowoomba trainer Ron Macrae’s judgment was spot-on after his imposing-looking Hidden Dragon juvenile Manahide (Brad Stewart, $2.60) scored a runaway 2.75 lengths win in the last of the QTIS 600 2YO Bonus races for the season, easily beating Craiglea Gee Tee (Kelvin Wharton, $8).

“Only for the 13 gate I reckon he was a good thing. I’ll turn him out for a spell now,” Macrae said.

Brad Stewart’s post-race assessment to Toowoomba-based part-owner Chris Turner was short but sweet.

“He (Manahide) is going to win you plenty of races,” Stewart said.