Sport
16 October, 2024
Parry’s big payday as newcomer wins first running of The Aviator
Mina's Legacy picked up more than $27,000 for winning the new race at Cloncurry.
Did I win? Did I win?
Those were the first words from Julia Creek trainer Tanya Parry as she wondered if her new galloper Mina’s Legacy had got across the line in the inaugural running of The Aviator at Cloncurry.
Normally fairly reserved, Parry showed plenty of emotion as caller Andrew Watts relayed to the crowd that the four-year-old mare had got up in a photo finish.
You see, this was no ordinary win for Parry as she won a race that had 20 acceptors in what was ultimately a $43,000 event.
The prizemoney in the Class 1 Handicap was $25,000, however QTIS bonuses of $18,000 made it the must-win race on Friday.
When you consider that North West trainers are usually racing for just $6800 with each win, it puts Parry’s nervousness and emotion into perspective.
When Mina’s Legacy returned to her new Julia Creek stable that evening, she had just secured more than $27,000.
Parry is reluctant to give interviews, so we’ll have to paint the picture.
Previously trained by Kris Lees, Mina’s Legacy was badly out of form before she was given the sack and sent bush.
In her last three starts, she had finished last, third-last, and last.
However, a drop in class and a change in scenery appears to have paid dividends.
The rank outsider ($51) was able to sit outside the leader throughout the 1200m race and found plenty in the closing stages to nudge out favourite Fraser’s Ridge.
Parry will be hoping Mina’s Legacy can back it up at Mount Isa this Monday where she is entered in another QTIS race.
Should the mare win on the TAB card, she would collect another $21,750 after bonuses.
HUGE CUP VICTORY
OVERSHADOWED somewhat by The Aviator, the Cloncurry Cup (1600m) proved to be a one-act affair as the well-backed Scorched Land proved an easy winner of the Country Cups Challenge qualifier.
Trained by Bevan Johnson, the $2.60 favourite was given a peach of a ride by Bella Younberry, who showed patience throughout before making a well-timed move to rush past the field and win by three lengths.
Also a relative newcomer to the Outback racing circuit, the seven-year-old gelding is likely to be a tough horse to beat in next year’s Cup circuit and could be hard to hold out in the $200,000 Country Cups Challenge at Doomben on November 30.
LOCAL WINNERS
CLONURRY trainer Terry Hall picked up a winner in the Class 6 Handicap (1200m) with Metal Rock, much to the delight of local punters, who took $8 in the ring.
Richmond’s Shryn Royes also tasted success with Revved Up Ready in the Benchmark 50 (1400m).
The next local meet is the TAB program at Mount Isa on Monday.