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Sport

10 September, 2024

Gallagher thrilled after Mr Hanky Panky wins Normanton Classic

The ultra-speedy horse looks untouchable on the track.

By Matt Nicholls

Jockey Jock Connolly and owner/trainer Troy Gallagher with Mr Hanky Panky after winning the Gulf Regional Services & Elite Air Classic.
Jockey Jock Connolly and owner/trainer Troy Gallagher with Mr Hanky Panky after winning the Gulf Regional Services & Elite Air Classic.

Who is fast enough to beat Mr Hanky Pank in a 200m or 300m dash? The correct answer is likely: no one.

The speedy four-year-old let rip down the Normanton straight on Saturday to win the prestigious Classic over 300m, then backed it up with a Cup win later in the day over 200m.

“I think he might be the fastest horse in Australia at the moment,” said trainer/owner Troy Gallagher, who said he was thrilled to win his hometown feature race for the first time.

“What he’s doing is phenomenal – he’s doing it with ease, too.

“He just smoked them in the Classic. If you look at the photos you’ll see (jockey) Jock Connolly looking behind him to see where the others were.”

“Hank” was such a comfortable winner of the 300m race that he was able to be eased down in the concluding stages.

“He’s by far the best sprinter I’ve had,” Gallagher said of the gelding who has this year won the Mailman Express 200m time trial at Mount Isa, as well as the Sedan Dip Cup.

“I was a little bit steadier than what we were at Sedan Dip,” the trainer said of the post-race celebrations.

“They give you an actual Cup at Sedan Dip ... something to drink out of.”

While Mr Hanky Panky wasn’t nominated for this Saturday’s bush sprint races at Richmond, he’ll be seen again at next month’s race meeting in Georgetown.

“He’ll be hard to beat there, too,” said Gallagher.

It was a good day to be part of the Gallagher clan at Normanton, with Troy also getting another win out of veteran mare Jabelle Aint She Fancy, while Ash Gallagher tasted success with Hollywood, ridden by Emmy Gallagher.

Most of the racing crowd stayed on for the rodeo, which featured predominantly female events.

Mount Isa’s Courtney Gray won the barrel race with Roc N Floyd, while Cheryl Bethel claimed honours in the women’s ranch bronc ride, beating Hayley Coburn, who was also named all-round champion cowgirl.

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