Fab four for jockey Lenton at Betoota

By Garry Dell

Former Townsville schoolgirl and apprentice jockey Kelsey Lenton reached the magic career milestone of 50 winners with a haul of four at outback Betoota on Saturday.

Lenton's haul included the Betoota Cup and Open Handicap sprint with Fusaichi Family and The Hanger Cat respectively for the travelling team of Scone trainer Brett Cavanough.

The 22-year-old admits to "having a whale of a time" riding Queensland's outback tracks from the team's Barcaldine base where they train a travelling team of 10 gallopers. 

"We've been up here for three months now and the winners have been flowing regularly," Lenton said.

"I'd only ever heard or read of the places we've been to but the people are so friendly and the clubs put so much effort into preparing the tracks and arranging the side attractions.

"We do a heck of a lot of travelling but it's great fun and I'll look back on this experience in later years with pride in my achievements and it's been a big help in gaining experience."

Lenton started her riding career with Townsville premiership-winning trainer Georgie Holt and landed her first Cup winner at Home Hill after only a few rides.

The Betoota Cup was her second in Queensland.

"It's certainly a lot different on the roads out here to what it's like at home now in Tamworth where I'm riding on grass tracks most of the time," Lenton said.

"We're heading to Emerald on Saturday which is only a short distance to travel and we'll have grass under our feet.

"The trip home from Betoota took seven hours so it's only a hop, step and jump to Emerald.

"We've got 10 horses with us at the moment and three out of the new four that Brett sent up have all won. Let's hope we can keep the ball rolling at Emerald."

Meanwhile, the Prairie Jockey Club is geared up for their Cup meeting on Saturday.

Prairie club secretary Christine Bode said her telephone had been "ringing off the hook" for the past fortnight fielding calls from city and country booking spots for camping overnight on the club's grounds. 

Bode, who has carried her title for 14 years, is supported by president Bredt Merton and an active committee of 10 who all pitch in to ensure the hospitality and racing are as good as anything on offer in North Queensland.

"We're all on cattle properties out this way and know how to have a good time when we can get together," Bode said.

"We have received great support from our sponsors."

Bode said the track would be in excellent condition.

"It proves we have something going for us when you see the number of entries from Townsville and as far away as Mackay and further west of us," Bode said. 

"The Cup carries prize money of $15,000 and a nice trophy and the supporting races have good prize money as well with a total of over $50,000."