ALISON Threadwell joined forces with Newcastle brothers Philip and David Atkins to ride a winning double on a heavy track at Muswellbrook last Friday.
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Threadwell, in great form, won the Barry Francis Daniel Memorial Class One (1000m) on the promising Musical Query for Philip Atkins and the final race, the Mikki Isle @ Arrowfield Stud Class One (1450m) on Renown for David.
“It’s been a good day and both are nice horses,” Threadwell said.
Each was backing up after maiden wins in recent weeks, Musical Query at Muswellbrook and Renown at Taree.
Philip Atkins, naturally shy and normally a man of few words, was enthusiastic when describing Musical Query.
“She is only small but she is so game and so tough,” Atkins said.
“She wants to be a race horse and she has that added advantage of being able to handle a heavy track.
“This was only her third run from a spell so providing she pulls up well I will probably give her one or two more starts. You don’t like to turn them out when they are racing so well, particularly fillies.”
Musical Query, a bargain buy at the Scone sale for owner Lee Rowan, has raced four times for two wins and two seconds.
Musical Query settled in second place to the turn, worked to the lead after straightening then held off The Veal Thing to win by half a length.
Renown came from fifth early to win by one and a half lengths from the early leader Bend It Like Benny relegating that horse to his fifth consecutive second.
“My horse handled the conditions well,” Threadwell said.
Meanwhile, Taree trainer Ian Mcrobert admitted to being a touch surprised by Tarboy’s win in the Rubick @ Coolmore Three Year Old Maiden (1000m).
“I didn’t come here looking for a heavy track even though he is out of a Quest For Fame mare,” Mcrobert said.
“I thought he would need this run then we would go back to Taree and find a race for him.
“Now we will have re-think the plan and look for a Class One at a country track.”
Although Tarboy is bred to handle the wet apprentice Chloe Baker feared the conditions might have brought the four year old undone near the turn.
“Coming to the turn he suddenly bogged down and was going no where,” Baker said.
“Once he got going again he laid his ears back and was determined to get past the leader and win.”
Front Running went to the lead at the top of the straight and looked set to win until Tarboy grabbed it on the line to win by a short half head.