Santa is coming to Marburg trots next Sunday December 19th. The old, red faced gentleman, will make his appearance mid program, having swapped his sleigh for the spare mobile, as it is thought that the reindeer might frighten the horses. He assures us that he is bringing a present for every child on course, along with much good cheer, The MPA has much to keep the crowd happy, with the mini-trotters decorated from one end to the other. Free supervised rides and activities for the kids, TAB on course, best Christmas burgers, and special budget prices on all beverages. The race book is top value at $3 as it has fields, tips, an entry form for “pick the last seven winners”, ( $2000 on a share basis if multiple winners), and a voucher for $500 “funny money” which allows you to have a bet if you can’t afford to lose. If you have a stash of cash after the last, we have an auction of fancy goods. The racing at Marburg is first class, up close to the action, sights and sounds. Don’t miss it!! Adults $5, Pensioners and Members $3, kids under 17 free. Gates open 11:am..
A close up early warning. Marburg Harness is about to re-brand. New website, New Facebook page. We are about to enter into the area of 150% promotion, driven by “my local market” and “purple bunny” who will take our product, re-cycle it, give it a transfusion, and put it “out there” in a very big market place. It now rests with the MPA and Racing Queensland to see that “quality control” is a key part of our presentation. We have to sell a better pie!
It’s time for a bit of history as we check out the accompanying photo. All regular trot followers are familiar with the mobile barrier, which is used to start the great majority of harness races today. The crude but effective forerunner of today’s sophisticated device, first saw the light of day in America in 1936, but, the concept of a moving start had very few, if any supporters in the Southern Hemisphere at that time. Trotting as it was known in Australia and New Zealand was handicap racing, and, to accommodate the class system, handicaps were assigned by increments of 12 yards. Horses were required to stand on their marks, and step off cleanly at the pace or trot when the elasticised tapes were released simultaneously by the starter. It was once said that “progress is the result of dissatisfaction”, and, in the late 1950’s, when harness horsemanship was at its absolute peak, there were a handful of people in Sydney who were unhappy with what was ,really, an acceptable number of tardy beginners at race meetings. The device pictured, was known as “the Brown moving barrier” and was installed at Bankstown Paceway, where it remained for some years. Examination of the device shows the principle of a dual tape on rollers strung between two pipe rails mounted on the inside and outside rails of the track. The three sets of rails shown are fixed at 12 yard intervals and curve up to the vertical with the rollers carrying the dual tape with barrier numbers attached up, in front of and away from the horses which, in theory, having walked behind the tape for 12 yards, would smoothly gather speed when the tapes rose. Brown’s barrier failed of course, due to the immediate condemnation of those who wanted a better device than the simple basic “stand’ procedure. Had trainers been given a bit more time to accustom their horses to the procedure, the method may well have been a success. At least it was an honest attempt to combine realistic handicapping with a moving start. This writer posed the question to a leading administrator, at an industry meeting almost 20 years ago. “Could he” I asked, ”point to any tangible benefit which had accrued to harness racing in Queensland from the adoption of the mobile barrier.” The answer was a shake of the head. Nothing has changed in the ensuing years.
What ever we may have or not have in the Scenic Rim/ Ipswich footprint, we certainly have bulk driving talent. The race for the National Drivers title may be over with Pete McMullen well clear of his rivals with 298 wins, but second place is still up for grabs in a three-way tussle, with only three weeks of the current racing season remaining. Nathan Dawson currently sits in second place on 226 winners, while Gary Hall Jnr (WA) and Chris Alford (Vic)are equal in third position, 13 wins adrift of Dawson. However, it could get interesting with Dawson falling foul of the stewards on Saturday night at Albion Park, incurring a 10-day suspension. That period could prove costly with both Alford and Hall Jnr both capable of chalking up big results in that sort of timeframe. There is some consolation for Dawson in that his position ahead of third placing in the Queensland is safe, sitting 66 wins clear of third placed Grant Dixon. That should see the 2021 driving premiership a reversal of the 2017/18 where Dawson claimed the crown ahead of his cousin, Pete McMullen.
In the current seven day period, Pete McMullen has greeted the Judge on nine occasions, putting him squarely at the top of the drivers totem pole. Matt Elkins had a good week scoring four times, while Peter Greig did the old fashioned deal with three winners trained and driven. Chantal Turpin was top trainer, totalling four winners for the week. Most pleasing was Magicol Ideal at Marburg, driven by Coominya’s Clint Sneddon for suspended trainer, John Stariha. Ipswich Factor 27/54..
Resultsville.. Albion Park 03/12.. Philanderng Chef (Nathan Dawson for Ben Battle).. Major Mischief (Nathan Dawson for Donny Smith).. Gotta Go Milking (Pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin).. O B Legal (Peter Greig).. Awaywego (pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin).. Big Wheels (Pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin).. Albion Park .. 04/12.. Northview Hustler (Hayden Barnes for Alistair Barnes).. Harps (Pete McMullen for Graham Dwyer).. Westar Sam (Leonard Cain for Ron Sallis).. Marburg 05/12.. Im Loki (Matt Elkins for Narissa McMullen).. Teachers Pet (Peter Greig).. Beef City Starzzz (peter Greig).. Sporty Azz (Pete McMullen for RickyHart).. Magicol Ideal (Clint Sneddon for John Stariha).. Goal Kicker (Taleah McMullen for john McMullen).. Albion Park 07/12.. Scotch En Ice (Matt Elkins for Vic Frost).. Rosehill Magic (Matthew Neilson for Denis Smith).. Redcliffe 08/12.. Hammertime Harley (Pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin).. Studleigh Will (Pete McMullen for John McMullen).. Woodlands Wonder (Steven Doherty for Mal Charlton).. Dataldo (Matt Elkins for Donny Smith).. Manoflisa (Trent Moffat for Trent Hodges).. Redcliffe 09/12.. Lesvos Lad (Matthew Neilson for Jenny Anderson).. Tulhurst Lover (David McKenzie).. Datsinahurri (Matt Elkins for Donny Smith).. Non Passare (Pete McMullen for Ken Belford)..Speed Of Sound (Pete McMullen for Graham Dwyer)..
The following is the acceptance speech of Phoebe Roche, on her selection as Equestrian Victoria’s PARA RIDER FOR 2021. The MPA ran a fundraiser to send Phoebe and her mother Shaneen from here to Victoria to compete in similar events. We at Marburg are more than a bit chuffed to see the end result, and again thank those people who contributed so generously in the first instance. From memory, “Comet” was a member of Team Roche at the time and he has obviously done his job well.
“I am so excited & privileged to be awarded 2021 Equestrian Victoria Para Rider. Thank you Catherine Shelley for sponsoring this award, as you have always been a great supporter of the para riders.
I must say it came as a massive surprise as I was against some great riders in these classes in Emma Booth & Claire Graham. We are all winners just to be nominated. Congratulations to you both.
Thank you to all the fellow para riders for competing if it wasn’t for you & the sponsors of the Para classes, they wouldn’t be running these events. Also a big thank you to the organisers for all your hard work putting them on, it’s vast & your dedication is imminent. The Judges, Technical Delegate, Stewarts & all the people behind the scenes make it run smoothly, thank you, I appreciate all your hard work & volunteering for us.
To my bests friends Will, Comet & Smartie, you have made me the rider I am to today.
Thank you to my Sponsors & friends for your ongoing support
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