The Mount Isa Race Club followed on from its hugely successful Mailman Express with a Rodeo Hangover Race Day at Buchanan Park on Saturday.
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While the crowd and the interest were not as big the racing was just as exciting.
In the Wendy Christie Open Handicap (1,200m) Damgoodchoice made it two in a row with a comfortable win. The field was out as one but Engine Fifty Five quickly fell to the rear.
Admiral Ruff was squeezed out at the 1,000 and dropped in behind Rebel Rover, Damgoodchoice and I’m Usain.
Rebel Rover and Damgoodchoice had dropped I’m Usain by the 800 but by the time they entered the home straight Damgoodchoice was all alone. Tamara Tincknell gave the big chestnut a tickle and he went to the line one and three quarter lengths in front of Engine Fifty Five.
Jason Babarovitch kept the newcomer from Alice Springs as close to the rails as a Siamese twin in a good run.
Rebel Rover and I’m Usain faded like a photo of former champions on a billboard, allowing Admiral Ruff to finish strongly two and half lengths third.
For the first time in living memory a Ballard was not in the saddle at Buchanan Park but trainer Denise kept the flag flying when Last Side won the Cava Benchmark 60 Handicap (1,450m).
Video Show was out slowly and as they reached the shadows of Broso’s Hill Last Side ranged up from the outside barrier to join Mandalong Pass and Roscommon in front. Last Side moved forward but Roscommon kept the rails and as Mandalong Pass dropped back Video Show went between them to make it three abreast.
Mandalong Pass made a move leaving the back straight and passed the wilting Roscommon.
Newly arrived jockey Rik McMahon never moved in the saddle on Last Side and entering the straight he looked home and hosed. That was when Mandalong Pass threw a spanner in the works by shifting gears to come flying home.
Last Side was too strong though and held on to win by half a neck with Video Show fading to five and three quarter lengths third.
Bob Burrow’s only run on the day was hot favourite Five Spices in the Sunset Butchery Class 2 Plate (1,200m).
Making his debut in North West Queensland Five Spices caught jockey Aaron Spradau by surprise and broke through the barrier without him.
After a leisurely stroll around the track making it appear he would be an easy catch Five Spices kicked into gear entering the straight and blew past his would be capturers.
Looking as if he might go around again the back gate was opened and like a homing pigeon he trotted back to his stables thinking he was due a well-earned feed.
Back at the track the field was reloaded and Senseofwonder got out quickly from the outside but was kept off the rails by Al Mah Rocket.
It made no difference to Tim Brummell who kept the pace on and by the home straight had the slippers on and was packing his pipe.
Seven and a quarter lengths was the final margin with Denlago coming from the tail of the field in a big run for second four and a half lengths to the good of Al Mah Rocket.
Wicked Wiki bounded out of the gates in the Remploy Benchmark 60 Handicap (1,000m) and by the 800 was three lengths clear of stablemate World Of Pain with Born To Fire two lengths further back.
Leaving the back straight World Of Pain gathered Wicked Wiki in and entering the home straight edged in front as Born To Fire joined the fray and Rothstein became interested.
Wicked Wiki lifted and beat off World Of Pain but the aptly named David Sparks lit the fire on his mount Born To Fire.
Born To Fire and Rothstein reeled Wicked Wiki in on the line in a blanket finish.
When the judge developed the photo Born To Fire snuck home by a long neck with Wicked Wiki holding off Rothstein by a nose.
The Atom Mount Isa Maiden Plate (1,000m) was a win for the when $15 chance Pimp My Ride upset equal favourites Leapin’ Lena and My Mind Is Made Up.
Pimp My Ride was ready for action and reared in the barrier just before the gates opened.
Pimp My Ride, Flossy and My Mind Is Made Up led the charge but leaving the back straight Flossy went off the boil and Leapin’ Lena began making ground. Into the home straight My Mind Is Made Up was on the rails but Pimp My Ride put his head in front.
Leapin’ Lena took ground off Pimp My Ride but not enough and Justin Esser got the outsider home by half a length with My Mind Is Made Up a neck further back.
