Sport
2 September, 2025
Schofields rapt after landing Julia Creek feature race
Stable newcomer Hurricane Thunder was an impressive winner of the Artesian Express.
While four of the six races went to Julia Creek-based trainers on Saturday, the prized Artesian Express purse will be spent in Barcaldine.
Trainer Toni Schofield and apprentice jockey Maddie Mankelow combined to claim the $22,5000 feature event over 1200m, with Hurricane Thunder producing a barnstorming run down the centre of the McIntyre Park track to win the Class 2 Handicap.
The $5 elect broke a string of second placings for the Schofield stable.
The visitors finished runner-up three times on Saturday before eventually breaking their duck with their new stable addition.
“It was a great result,” said Nathan Schofield, part-owner and husband of Toni.
“We took a horse (to the Artesian Express) last year and ran fourth.”
Hurricane Thunder cost just $1750 after he was previously trained by Mitch Beer in New South Wales, and was third in his first-up run for the Schofields at Longreach.
“His run was good, he was trying, but it was a bit too short for him,” Schofield said of the Longreach race.
“We had this race in mind. The normal prizemoney is good, but this is a bonus.”
After backing the horse each-way in the ring, Schofield also purchased the six-year-old gelding in the pre-race Calcutta.
He paid $400 for Hurricane Thunder in the auction and netted $4185 when Mankelow came from the clouds to win by 1.21 lengths, defeating Yalla.
“I’ve never seen a Calcutta like that before,” Schofield said.
“They didn’t sell tickets, just went through the horses in order.
“It was 90 per cent of the pool to the winner and 10 per cent to charity. No second or third prize.”
The Schofields are now preparing for the two-day Birdsville carnival, where they have a handful of winning chances at the iconic meeting.
Meanwhile, Tanya Parry celebrated a treble at her home track, with three winners in succession on Saturday.
Santorini Sun ($3), Geoff And Jenny ($7.50) and Far Reaching ($10) won the Benchmark 65 (1100m), Class B Handicap (1100m) and Benchmark 50 (1350m) respectively.
Apprentice Brea Harrison rode Santorini Sun and Far Reaching, while Geoff And Jenny was piloted by Brooke Stower.
To go with her three wins, the Julia Creek trainer also had six placings at her home track.
Fellow local Kerry Krogh notched a winner to open the day when School Fees ($12) caused an upset in the Maiden Plate (1100m) with Shane McGovern in the saddle.
The other race on the card went to Richmond trainer Shryn Royes and $2 favourite Pennypacker and jockey Tessa Townsend.
There is no racing in the North West this Saturday.
Trainers will either venture to Birdsville or Prairie for the two neighbouring programs.