Manzelmann clan set to dominate at Bowen

By Glenn Davis

The Manzelmann clan will be out in force when the Bowen Turf Club conducts a rare Saturday fixture this weekend.

The Mackay-based John Manzelmann is arguably the state’s greatest supporters of country racing and will have 12 starters on the five race program.

Manzelmann’s sister Tracy Simmons will also head to Bowen from her Mackay base with four starters while close relative Joshua Manzelmann also saddles up four starters.

John Manzelmann also has a son -  Lachie - who has followed his father’s footsteps and now trains both harness and thoroughbreds at Logan Village, south of Brisbane.

The 23-year-old Lachie prepared a winner on Thursday afternoon at Ipswich. 

John has been one of the state’s leading trainers over the past decade but now has a slightly smaller team of 25 horses in work at his Mackay property.

Both Tracy and Joshua train on a property owned by John Manzelmann’s father, “Ginger” Manzelmann, who is a well-known racing identity in North Queensland.

John will have four starters in the QTIS Maiden Plate over 1200 metres and rates Kingmate as the stable’s best chance on the day.

He also gives Golden Athena in the Ratings Band 0-60 Handicap over 1000 metres a strong chance of repeating her last start win at Blackall last Saturday.

“I think Kingmate is my best chance followed by Golden Athena,” Manzelmann said.

Kingmate – a Tahlia Fenlon mount – has placed twice in 10 starts, including his recent second over 900 metres at Mount Isa last Saturday.

“He wasn’t good enough on the day but he’s going well,” Manzelmann said.

“Golden Athena won over 1200 metres last start at Blackall and is dropping back to 1000 metres but I’ve freshened her up.”

John has trained the program several times during his career but is not predicting a repeat performance at Bowen.

“I’ve trained the program four or five times before but we’ll just have to wait and see how we go at Bowen,” he said.

John won a Queensland trainer’s premiership a few years ago as well as claiming his local premiership numerous times.