Era of 30 plus sportsmen

The field is set to jump for this weekend's Stanthorpe Cup.

The Socceroos booked themselves a trip to Honduras last week after a nail-biting win over a very brave Syria. Despite their white knuckle victory all the noise since the win has unfortunately been about the future of their coach Ange Postecoglou. How that will finish is apparently a well-guarded secret.
While the pathway they are taking to a possible place in the next World Cup may not be the ideal route, the Socceroos will throw themselves into the fire ahead of their playoff with Honduras, opting to spend the lead-up week to their away match in the dangerous Central American nation.
Who knows perhaps that will bring out the best in the team before their return match on 15 November at Stadium Australia.
If the Socceroos make it to the 2018 Wold Cup, they will once again have the evergreen Tim Cahill to thank.
It seems to be the year for the 30 plus sportsmen to shine. Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk all on the wrong side of 30 have brushed aside any talk of their age as they prepare for the Rugby League World Cup after a super domestic season. JT another in the thirty plus category is preparing for his return from shoulder injury, and despite missing a big chunk of the rugby league season did enough to earn himself a nomination for the recent Don Award.
Then, of course, there is the remarkable form of those two 30 plus tennis giants of tennis Raffa Nadal and Roger Federer who went head to head again this week in the final of the Shanghai Masters. Federer turned on a master class as only he can do to beat the World Number One in straight sets.
As Tim Cahill espouses, age is just a number. Long may these champions of their sport continue to ignore the number as we continue to be amazed and entertained by their unique and undeniable talents.
– Casey
Footnote
A big thank you to all those who have followed my progress after recent hip surgery. I am happy to report the new part is working well and I am well on the road to recovery.
BIG FIELDS EXPECTED FOR STANTHORPE CUP
President of the Stanthorpe Jockey Club Chips Brunckhorst and his committee will have one eye on the sky and the other on the BOM weather site this week as they finalise preparations for the annual Caulfield Cup Day race meeting in Stanthorpe. The recent rain has been an added boost for the track which is in perfect condition, but as the president quipped earlier in the week, “It can stop any time now.”
A big crowd is expected for the running of the Stanthorpe Cup meeting, which once again is sponsored by Central Motors and the Reeves family.
The club has a five-event program scheduled, but at the time of going to press nominations for the meeting were unavailable.
Following the success of the Warwick Cup meeting last weekend, organisers are expecting big fields for the meeting.
There has been plenty of interest from visiting owners and trainers. Club secretary Jill Brunckhorst says inquiries have been coming thick and fast for reserved seating and luncheon bookings.
Crisps coaches will once again be running courtesy buses to and from the course, and patrons are urged to take advantage of the service and leave their cars at home.
Fashions on the Fields is once again expected to be a highlight of the day, but with the unpredictable weather conditions there, back up race day outfits are being hurriedly sought after.
Patrons are reminded that you cannot bring alcohol on to the course, and security will be in place checking all bags and eskies. The meeting is very much a family day out, but children must be accompanied by an adult.
After the last race, patrons are invited to stay on and enjoy the band.
Fingers crossed for a break in the weather.
If you are looking for the Caulfield Cup winner Darren Weir and the Hayes Dabernick stable lead, the Australian contingent with both stables having a handful of likely runners while the Internationals are sure to make their presence felt along with some talented Kiwis.
I like Humidor from the Weir stable who has done little wrong in his preparation. Hartnell and his connections are sure to be relieved they will not be chasing home the dapples on the rump of Winx in this race. A value bet might be the international galloper Marmelo. He is a well-credentialed galloper with a Group One win in France to his name. He comes to Australia with the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups on his radar. Much, of course, will depend on the final race acceptances and the barrier draw.
WARWICK CUP SUCCESS
An extraordinary amount of preparation goes into staging a race meeting, and with rain threatening to disrupt the Warwick Turf Club’s signature event, the committee and officials were pleased with the numbers who attended last weekend’s Warwick Cup Meeting at Allman Park.
A big crowd filled the marquee while the members area was overflowing. Guests in the members area included CEO of the Brisbane Broncos Paul White and recruitment chief Paul Nolan no doubt back on home turf to support the Nolan runners from Toowoomba. The rain held off for most of the meeting and had little effect on runners or race day revellers.
Punters had their share of good luck at the meeting, and some bookmakers were pleased to see a couple of long priced winners greet the judge in both local and interstate events.
Punters sent out Grafton visitor Bel Flyer and Toowoomba galloper Rhyme nor Rhythm equal favourites. In a good finish, it was the Grafton galloper Bel Flyer who despite laying in under pressure in the straight franked his good recent form to land the money. Well ridden by Ben Looker the gelding now trained by John Shelton made it back-to-back wins in the Warwick Cup for his owners.
Rhyme Nor Rhythm was a little over half a length away in second place with Zip to the Moon finishing in third place.
Punters got off to a great start when short priced favourite Redex ridden by apprentice Rebecca Gladsbury greeted the judge ahead of Suzy’s Rose and Ask Audrey. Trained in Toowoomba by Michael Nolan the three-year-old who can be difficult at the barriers was on his best behaviour and backed up good Ipswich form to win easily.
Local trainer Les Clarke was all smiles after his horse My Little Diva fought off Ol’Brown Eyes to win the second race a Benchmark 60 Handicap over 800 metres. The locally owned and trained galloper was returning from a spell having last raced in May and started at the good odds of $7.50.
Toowoomba galloper Royal Bouquet was a good return for canny form punters in the third event. Starting at $14 the Toowoomba galloper put the writing on the wall when she ran third in a field of 10 runners in a Toowoomba maiden just two weeks ago.
Another Toowoomba galloper Tapthetill showed a liking for the Allman Park track with a narrow win in the Tri Steel Maiden.
With apprentice Nicholas Keal claiming 2.5kgs, the John Zeilke trained three-year-old was having only his third race start. Filling the placings were Eagle Farm visitor Volivoli having his first race start and Warwick runner Real Dynamite.
Favourite backers were on the money in the fifth race with Hessian getting the money for the Sunshine Coast stable of Bill and Dale Healey.
In a wide open betting race, Hessian ridden by Josh Oliver started at $4.80. A protest by Alannah Badger rider of the fourth Alfie Junior against the second placegetter There’s Nemo was dismissed.
Apprentice Nicholas Keal made it a Warwick Cup Day double when he guided the Eagle Farm galloper Waltz in Flight to victory in the sixth race after the Michael Nolan trained Explosive Belle was scratched at the barrier. The winner KO’d plenty of punters, but had bookmakers cheering him to the line. The winner started at odds of $21 after a lacklustre outing last start at Ipswich where he failed to beat a runner home.
Any punter who snagged the TAB trifecta (10,12,11)would have been laughing with the second placed Seattle Girl starting at $19 and third placegetter Dreamer’s Goal $9.
The meeting wrapped up with the running of the Frasers Livestock Transport Newmarket over the 1100metre sprint journey.
Punters finished the day as they started when favourite You Say No Way edged out Monday’s Expert and Final Hope in a head bobbing finish.
The Newmarket Handicap saw another win for the Toowoomba visitors. The five-year-old mare is trained in Toowoomba by Troy Pascoe and was ridden by Beau Appo.
The Warwick Turf club will not race again until their annual Boxing Day meeting.
IN THE PINK AND THE RAIN
Stanthorpe golfers prepared to ‘Tee off for Breast Cancer Research’ in the single stableford sponsored by Heritage Bank on Saturday. The event has become a popular date on the Stanthorpe Golf Club’s calendar with all funds raised through playing fees and raffles directed Breast Cancer Research in the local community.
Unfortunately on Saturday, the event was disrupted by the weather. Only a handful of water logged competitors finished the entire 18 holes. The majority took the option of staying drier and headed back to the club house.
Matt Waterworth was one of those who persisted on the course and his persistence paid dividends. Waterworth returned the winning score of 44 points. Perhaps, it was his excellent front nine of 26 gave him the incentive to continue despite the elements. Mark McCosker finished his round with 39 points which was good enough to score the runners-up spot. McCosker also played the semi final of the Captain’s match play just edging out Richard Reardon in a very tight tussle.
Reardon also claimed the pin shot at three. Len Leigh and Keith Jones took the pin shots at 12 and 17 respectively. Matt Waterworth took the pin at 1/10, Lyle Bryant 5/14 and Bill. The ladies event was a total wash out and was decided on a nine-hole competition. With a score of 18 points, Annelle Batterham edged out runner-up Lyn Ludlow who scored 17 points.
Players had dressed for the occasion stepping out in their best pink outfits.
Lyn Ludlow and Helen Jones looked pretty in pink and won the best dressed Ladies category. Bill Pyne and Eric McLellan spent more time in the dressing room than on the golf course and claimed the men’s prize. Fortunately or unfortunately, the camera failed to capture their outfits, but all are invited back in the same attire this Saturday when a more reliable camera is sure to be available.
Organisers will be hoping for better weather for the single stableford this weekend, however the forecast at this stage is not looking too bright. Tee off is from 11.30am, and there is a time sheet on the board at the clubhouse.
This Saturday is a single stableford sponsored by the club. Being race day in Stanthorpe, the field might be a bit smaller than usual, but just as competitive. Tee off from 11.30am and the time sheet is on the board.
The Stanthorpe Open is just around the corner, scheduled for the last weekend in October. Long term sponsors of the popular weekend are Maddie’s Gift Gallery and the City Golf Club, Toowoomba. The City Golf Club sponsors many open days in smaller centres in and around the Darling Downs district.
While the recent rain has been most helpful, the course will require some tidying up work before the open.
Any members who can help with preparations should contact greenkeeper Bill as soon as possible.
SELL OUT FOR SOUTHERN STARS
Allan Border Oval will host the first game of the Women’s Ashes series on Sunday, and the game has been sold out for over three weeks. A first for women’s cricket.
The interest in women’s sport is at an all-time high, and anticipation is growing ahead of what will be a historic series with the Australian Women’s team to be part of the first ever day-night Ashes Test match.
Cricket CEO James Sutherland said, “We have high expectations and ambitions for this series, and it’s exciting that we are leading the way in showing that cricket is as much a sport for females as it is for males”.
If you aren’t lucky enough to have tickets to Sunday games, the match will be live on the Channel Nine.
The Aussie men’s squad in the meantime have made their way home from India after a rain-interrupted T20 series. They will head to their respective home states to play in three Sheffield Shield games in a more traditional preparation for the Ashes series.
LAST 2017 RUN FOR BOUNDERS
The Bullecourt Bounders wrap up their orienteering year with an event in Killarney on Sunday.
The street orienteering event will be held in the township. With the aid of a specially designed map, participants will explore the town aiming to locate 20 features in the streets and parks. The assembly area is in the park adjacent to the Killarney pool in Willow Street. Starts will take place from 9am – 11am.
This street event wraps up a very busy year for the Bullecourt Bounders who have held orienteering events every month. The highlight on the calendar was the very successful two-day Queensland Orienteering Championships held in September which drew competitors from across Australia and several internationals.
At the conclusion of this Sunday’s event, orienteers will take a break with the local club hosting events from February through to October 2018.
If you would like further information regarding this weekend’s street run or if you would like further information on the sport of orienteering head to the Bullecourt Bounders website bbb@oq.asn.au or contact Liz Bourne on 4683 6374.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN INGLEWOOD
The Inglewood Sporting Shooters Association hosted the State Muzzle loading Championships last weekend and a large group of enthusiasts travelled from across Queensland and interstate for the Championships.
For the uninitiated, Muzzle loading encompasses different types of firearms in the one discipline and includes rifles, muskets, shotguns, revolvers and pistols.
In addition to shooting on the range, you often find Muzzle loading shooters are enthusiastic followers of Rendezvous events and military re-enactments. The aim of these re-enactments is to replicate, as closely as possible, the dress and equipment of the period of interest.
Three local shooters, members of the Inglewood club added a local flavour to the competition Tom Donald, Dan McCosker and Glen Holmes who came away with a couple of medals.
Des Prowse, the discipline chairman broke the 30-year-old State record for Traditional rifle 100m Benchrest Class Two, not an easy feat.
The visiting shooters were impressed with the Inglewood range and the hospitality of the host club who can’t wait to host another Championship event.
In the meantime, it is back to local business with a Gallery and Lever Action event scheduled for a bit of practice this weekend. Why not join the members on the range – visitors are most welcome.
ON SONG BEFORE COURT MAINTENANCE
Mallet sports are set to be disrupted in coming weeks as the club undertakes maintenance on the courts.
Members did get an association game in last week before taking a break. Pat Schnoor and newcomer Peter played the experienced pairing of Val Shepherd and Andrea Denkewitz. The final score a creditable 16-13. In the other game, Margaret Dickenson and Effey Russell suffered a narrow loss beaten 17-16 by Jenny Tunbridge and Carol Verwey.
The golf croquet players have successfully negotiated with the Stanthorpe Bowls Club to use one of their greens while the court is out of action, and it is good to see the amount of co-operation between the clubs.
In the game last week, six players lined-up at the starting gates for game one, which required a tie break to decide the winner after scores were locked at 12-all at the break. Val Fancourt, Dianne Wren and Bev Sullivan scored the winning hoop against Teresa Pyne, Elaine Brown and Justin Liddy.
Shirley Page and a guest player joined the group after the break and doubles were played. Elaine Brown and Justin Liddy had a 10-7 win over Dianne Wren and Shirley Page made 7 hoops. In the second game, Val Fancourt and Teresa Pyne had a comfortable 9 – 3 win over Bev Sullivan and guest player Andy.
Dianne Wren played very well, scoring eight hoops in the opening game and four in the second game for a game high score of 12. Elaine Brown equalled Wren’s effort scoring five in the first game and seven hoops in the following game.
TRUE SPORTERS FACE THE ELEMENTS
A small group braved the soggy and damp conditions showing they are true Sporters committed to their cause and enjoyed a hit on Sunday. (Of course some might say they should be committed). John Rawlings showed good wet weather form to win the round ahead of runner-up Aaron Simmers. Brendon Barker returned the best gross score and also figured in the run downs along with Mark Lynam.
Ray Thorn claimed the pin shot on the third, but there were no takers for the pro pin.
Brendon Barker topped off a good morning by also taking home a meat tray. The other tray found a home in Dick Hilton’s refrigerator.
Tee-off this Sunday is at 8am, and fingers crossed the weather gods will look kindly upon Sporters.
A reminder that there will be no Sporters on 28 October due to Stanthorpe Open Carnival.
CRICKET CLEAN BOWLED BY WEATHER
Cricket fixtures in both Stanthorpe and Warwick were affected by last weekend’s wet weather. Play in Stanthorpe was cancelled while in Warwick all games were interrupted on Saturday before a result could be determined.
Redbacks were chasing Allora Rascal’s score of 108 before rain interrupted the game. Paul Christensen top-scored in Rascal’s innings, scoring 25 in a game shortened to 30 overs. Redbacks were 60 for the loss of one wicket when rain stopped play at Slade Park. Coen Slatter scored a quick-fire 33. He was dismissed by Tom Morris just as the rain set in, robbing Redbacks of what was shaping as a second round win.
In a low-scoring first innings, Maryvale dismissed Inglewood cheaply for 94. Maryvale’s Dave Smith finished with 2/13 from five overs. Fergus Connolly who is playing for Maryvale this season looks a player to watch this season. In his debu, the Scots College student who played in England last season took 2/21 from seven overs. Jamien Smith (39) topscored for the home side. Maryvale had their own problems when they came in to bat, and were 3/20 and in a fair bit of trouble. Newcomer Andrew McConnell who last season played in the Ipswich competition troubled the Maryvale batsmen and finished with 1/9 from seven overs.
When rain halted play, the game looked evenly balanced and heading for a good finish
In the game between Allora and Wheatvale, the visitors did not get to bat before the rain set in. Allora were 9/138 when play was halted. Gavan Scheiwe (48) top-scored for Allora. Stu Henderson was not out 19. Wheatvale’s Carter Billorough bowled well taking 2/17. Jayden O’Brien, still a junior took 3/15.
The Colts and Sovereign game on Sunday was cancelled due to the weather.
ACTION APLENTY IN TANNY ROUND TWO
It was all action again last Friday night for the second round of the Tanny Classic with 36 bowlers rolling up.
All teams had a fun night on the green and followed that up with a great meal and plenty of raffles.
Matty Shepherd and his crew were pretty happy to pick up the win and the money in the round two. Word has it that he was fortunate to have two good team-mates in Julie Buse and Terry Roche because his own form was not exactly outstanding. Not sure if there is any truth in the rumour circulating that his black hat will have to stay firmly on the hat rack this time- something about it not fitting.
Round three is on this Friday night at Tannymorel, and there are still plenty of prizes up for grabs so why not get along and join in the fun.