Rockhampton dominates QTIS Jewel Raceday

By Tony McMahon

The QTIS Jewel Raceday at Aquis Park, Gold Coast highlighted a number of colossal performances by Rockhampton racing stakeholders and their treasured thoroughbreds.

Of the $1.65 million base prizemoney on offer on Saturday, the five Rockhampton-connected horses won $471,850. 

That figure is nothing short of mind boggling, considering their rivals amassed from leading Queensland and interstate stables.

Spearheaded by the unconquered Kevin Hansen-trained Sweet Dolly’s win in the featured QTIS Jewel 2YO, another four horses connected to the central Queensland city were in the money.  

The day clearly showed that Rockhampton is indeed a big player, and a huge contributor in one of this state’s biggest industries.  

First out on to the track and into the fray was Sweet Dolly’s travelling boyfriend, the war horse Casino Thoughts. 

A veteran of 73 previous starts, the old boy punched well above his weight.

His second behind Racecourse Road in the $75,000 1000-metre Open as a $31 outsider was audacious to say the least. 

Exactly two hours later, Sweet Dolly with Justin Stanley aboard, defied young Rocky buck Ahooshu (also paying $31) to win the Jewel by a half-length and claim the $300,000 victor’s purse.   

In a gruelling fighting finish, both were energy sapped from the spongy heavy track conditions underfoot but they gave their all. 

In their wake were horses from as far afield as Rockhampton MP Michelle Landry’s second home Canberra.

When Sweet Dolly and her challenger returned to their enclosure podiums, it was all too much for their trainers Kevin Hansen and Graeme Green.

Spontaneously they embraced and locked, raising their hands together.

That was a poignant moment of pride from so called rival trainers, linking to extoll their unabashed parochialism for Rockhampton - it was a joy to behold.

Shortly afterwards, the Rockhampton-owned Outback Barbie fired up with a close second in the TAB Military Rose Plate behind Jadentom. 

Barbie contributed $22,500 to the day’s Rocky collection plate. 

Finally, it was the Rockhampton-owned and former locally-based Tom Button-trained Rollinwiththeflow, when the cheeky devil - a last start fourth-place getter at Callaghan Park - almost did the unthinkable.

As a $101 outsider, he had the hide to beat all but two in the 16-horse $500,000 QTIS Jewel 3YO, finishing third.

His swag of Rockhampton owners were pumped up as Rollinwiththeflow paid $25 for the place, as well as collecting $45,000 in prizemoney.

While the week began with local Marway’s Sydney win on Wednesday, it certainly ended on an unforgettable high on the Gold Coast on Saturday. 

Chances are the celebrations will be long lived and never forgotten as a highlight of the 152 years in Rockhampton racing history.