As we pick up speed and move into the New Year with a measure of optimism, we are reminded of the harsh realities of life, when we hear of the death of a friend. Bad news in this case travelled slowly, as we did not hear of the passing of Noela Krafft, which took place in December, in Victoria, until this week. Noela was the daughter Fred and Elsie Schelbach, who farmed and operated a thoroughbred stud at Warwick. Noela was a very successful Show rider in her early years. In 1962, she met her future husband, Derek Krafft, and began a relationship which lasted almost 60 years. The Kraffts were very well matched and showed natural ability at any enterprise with, Noela especially skilled with hand tools. They raced numerous harness horses, the most successful in recent memory being the prolific Icarus, winner of 22 races. While Noela Krafft can be remembered for the “polish” she put on her race starters, she herself was even more splendidly turned out. No one went to the “trots” better presented than NK. She loved a punt, and gave very unfavourable critiques in running, and after the race, if the drive on her choice was not what she expected. Noela is gone, but will be fondly remembered and missed by those who got past the veneer, to the real person, who spoke her mind at all times.
After the race meeting on the ninth of January, Marburg is in recess for some time, resuming in March with back to back meetings on Sundays the sixth and thirteenth. Harness workouts will be available on all the Sundays from now till then as the MPA does its bit to provide fit and tractable horses for the Queensland harness pool.
Racing Queensland will be active at the Marburg site in the meantime, as there are a number of major projects set down for completion in the 21/22 financial year, and at least two others under serious consideration. Marburg will show a vastly different face to the world in the years to come. Look for multi-use facilities, designed to benefit the Marburg Show Society, as well as the “sulky sitters”, and achieve much greater Community use of the site.
Meanwhile, harness in Queensland must appear attractive to trainers in other jurisdictions, as in very recent times, former Redcliffe lad Darren McCall, now a mature man of 51 years has returned and already clocked up several winners from Jeroen Neiuenberg’s “high tech” training complex at Tamborine village. DC’s CV includes a very successful 12 year stint in Canada, plus some European and Sydney time as well. At the same time, the much travelled “kiwi”, Tim Butt, has purchased another top setup at Toorbul.
Good as it on the surface, there is a two edged sword here. Two more high profile trainers here on a permanent basis, added to the traditional “Winter Invasion” means that the money pie will have to be sliced just that much thinner. It is now up to Racing Queensland, and its Harness division to stop looking at the top end, which is very capable of looking after itself, and focus on the hobbyists and the “non family” entry point. For some years now, we have been promised a trainers and driver’s school, I assume something along the lines of the schools which were such a success in Victoria. We need that, and we need it now. We have this year shouldered a 1% levy on prizemoney for Equine Welfare, which is a good thing, taking steps to look after the four legged brigade, who, if we are honest and realistic, are the real heroes of this sport, and we the exploiters of their ability. Should we not now enable hobbyists to encourage new blood into the sport in an honest light. If we had a school, and we thought more about the modestly gifted horse being able to defray a reasonable amount of its running costs we might be able to underpin the future of a great sport. This concept is not easily sold, as it requires serious thought, some cash investment, and a determination to see it succeed.
The following is an excerpt from an email issued by Kevin and Kay Seymour announcing their departure from commercial Standardbred breeding. More next week. (commence italics) “It’s now history that our brood mares have exceptional maternal families tracing back to two basic foundation families in Call Girl and Mistron, both recommended to us by world renowned breeding expert, Norman Pierce of New Zealand.
Winding down of the stud, on one hand will be very sad for us, on the other hand it will mean that Queensland breeders will be presented with a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy from some of the best maternal family lines which are unprecedented in the stud book when we put many of our mares to the market mid this year and an opportunity not to be missed.
So hopefully we will see the majority of these mares remain in the hands of Queensland breeders.(close italics)
Early days on the 2022 leader board. Not too many new names. On the driver’s list, Nathan Dawson toped out with eleven wins for the fortnight, Taleah McMullen in hot pursuit with nine successes, while Pete McMullen commenced safely, posting six wins this time. On the trainer’s side, Ryan Veivers heads the way, bringing home the bacon on five occasions, Ben Battle close up on four, John McMullen led in three winners and Lacey Hinze made a great start, landing three as well. Most pleasing must be a toss up between Lacey Hinze, and Peter Jones getting the best out of Tick Of The Clock on two occasions. Ipswich Factor 59/93..
We are doing “catch up” as the new racing season has been underway for a fortnight . Albion Park 01/01. Shes Koala Tee (Adam Sanderson for Shane Graham).. Love Your Work (Trent Dawson).. Bella Ball Terror (Trent Dawson).. Squire (Nathan Dawson for Greg Franklin).. Redcliffe 02/01.. Im Loki (Narissa McMullen for Matt Elkins).. Pebble Sands (justin Elkins for Greg Elkins).. Battlecraft (Narissa McMullen).. Pago Pago (Nathan Dawson for Peter Greig).. Raani (Narissa McMullen for Ron Sallis).. Albion Park 04/01.. Rebline (Nathan Dawson for Chris Monte).. Ali Downunder (Justin Elkins for Mal Charlton).. Charlevoix (Trent Dawson for Melissa Gillies).. Ill Be Watching Pete McMullen for Stewie Dickson).. Redcliffe 05/01.. Artistic Saint (Taleah McMullen for Ryan Veivers).. Abercrombie Tab (Dan Russell).. Just One Good One (Lachie Manzelmann for Lacey Hinze).. Blue Ivy (Taleah McMullen for Ryan Veivers).. High On Montana (Lachie Manzelmann for Lacey Hinze).. Cath phrase (Adam Sanderson for Shannon Price)..Redcliffe 06/01.. Slide To Unlock (Pete McMullen for Graham Dwyer)..Gunnaneedamargarita (Taleah McMullen for Trent Lethaby).. Johnrod (Natan Dawson for Tayla Gillespie).. Wedding Night (Nathan Dawson for Greg Franklin).. My China Doll (Pete McMullen for Dale Belford).. Albion Park 07/01.. Van Sank (Adam Sanderson for Shannon Price).. Sweet Sangria (Nathan Dawson for Ben Battle).. Hello Its Me (Nathan Dawson for Melissa Gillies).. Bonza Guy (Nathan Dawson fro Ben Battle).. Girl From Oz (Matthew Neilson for Darren McCall).. Albion Park 08/01.. Le Tissier (Taleah McMullen for Narissa McMullen).. Marburg 09/01.. Oliver Winkle (Leonard Cain for Errol Cain).. Imma Beach Babe (Leonard Cain for Peter Greig).. High On Montana (Lachie Manzelmann for Lacey Hinze).. Tick Of The Clock (Leonard Cain for Peter Jones).. Lorimer Lady (Peter Greig).. Circle Line (Zac Chappenden for James Lewin).. Albion Park..11/01.. Kapai (Chris Petroff for John McMullen).. Rancho Man (Taleah McMullen for John McMullen).. Maywyns Courage (Kelli Dawson).. Warrawee Flyer (Matthew Neilson for Darren McCall)..Theres A Chance (Pete McMullen for Graham White).. Whata Roller (Taleah McMullen for John McMullen).. Redcliffe 12/01.. Ima Birubi Boy (Taleah McMullen for Ryan Veivers).. Mark Of Integrity (Zac Chappenden for Ian Gurney).. A Good Ideal (Pete McMullen for Ron Sallis)..Abercrombie Tab (Pete McMullen for Dan Russell).. Albion Park 13/01..Datsinahurri (Matt Elkins for Donny Smith).. Tick Of The Clock (Leonard Cain for Peter Jones).. Holy Madness (Nathan Dawson for Justin Pascoe).. Geldof (Taleah McMullen for Ryan Veivers).. Keayang Sponge Bob ( Nathan Dawson for Matt Wright).. Go Jo Jolt (Matt Elkins for Dan Russell).. Arrokeefe (Nathan Dawson for Ben Battle)..Glenledi Commander (Taleah Mcmullen for Ryan Veivers)..
Regards, Folks..
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