By Glenn Davis
Nine-year-old mares are not commonly seen on the race track and are usually in the breeding barn at that age.
But, it’s not the case for Cairns-trained Our Chiquilla, who lines up for start number 67 in the Open Handicap at Innisfail on Saturday.
Trained by Scott Cooper, Our Chiquilla takes on a small field of five starters in the 1200 metre Open event, including recent Atherton winner Narda Shar.
Our Chiquilla has been racing consistently, missing a place only once in seven starts over the past four months.
The daughter of Chilean sire Host, Our Chiquilla won over 1400 metres at Atherton in October before stringing together three straight placings at Innisfail and Cairns.
In her latest appearance, she finished a game fourth to the Sharlee Hoffman-trained Call Me Mo in a 1250 metre Benchmark race at Cannon Park on November 24.
“One of her owners, Don Martin, bought her off Maryanne Brosnan at the Gold Coast and he’s not a breeder and just wants to see her race,” Cooper said.
“She might be nine but she’s enjoying racing again after since she fell over in the paddock and slightly fractured her front leg which required surgery.
“She had a few months off after the surgery but since she’s been back her form has been very consistent.”
Our Chiquilla started her career in Victoria with Darren Weir before being moved on to Brosnan, where she placed once in three starts.
Martin, a finance broker in Cairns, bought her to race in Far North Queensland and she's been a five-time winner since making her debut for Cooper in August, 2020.