By Glenn Davis
Wedding bells are ringing in the ear of trainer Krystle Johnston but it will be business as usual when she heads to Thangool on Tuesday with two runners.
Krystle, the daughter of well-known racing identity Stan Johnston, is due to tie the knot with fiancé Nathan Arnold in September.
Arnold is a physiotherapist at Prince Charles hospital at Chermside on Brisbane’s north side but has been seconded to work at the Sunshine Coast hospital.
Krystle has been training for nine years after taking over as head trainer for her father Stan's Craiglea Stud at Kenilworth in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
Stan was one of the state’s greatest supporters of QTIS racing and sent runners to all parts of the state chasing the scheme’s lucrative prize money.
“Dad is 74 now and is getting a kick out of dairying these days,” Krystle said.
“He’s still involved in racing but not as much as he used to be.
“We’ve converted three-quarters of our property back to a dairy farm and Dad gets a lot of enjoyment out of showing cattle.”
Krystle will head to Thangool with two runners and rates both good chances.
Jockey Hannah Richardson has been booked to ride Craiglea Etna in the Benchmark 50 Handicap over 1400 metres and Craiglea Laki in the Benchmark 55 Handicap over 800 metres.
Craiglea Etna will be stepping up to 1400 metres for the first time and is coming off a last start second to Maverick Henry in a 1200 metre Class 1 at Thangool on April 15.
“I’m keen to see how he goes over 1400 metres for the first time,” Krystle said.
“He missed the kick last start and hasn’t raced past 1200 metres but he’s bred to run the distance.
“He gives every indication he’ll run the trip so I’m expecting him to run well.”
Craiglea Laki has started only 10 times but her only win was at Thangool in a maiden over 800 metres in February.
The daughter of Agitate then went to Warwick and Chinchilla before a last start second over 800 metres at Nanango on April 8.
“She’s won at Thangool, which is a plus, but her next two starts were disappointing,” she said.
“Her last run was a lot better and she should be in the box seat and be in the finish.”