Pacing
IT might be a case of Dont Tell, but Oberon trainer Geoff Lawson is more than happy to talk all about it.
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Lawson has disregarded the names of his horses Dont Tell Errol, Dont Tell Dorothy and Dont Tell Phyllis after all three saluted the judge within an eight-day period.
The trainer only works a small team of five horses, and just four of those are currently racing, so that run of form is something Lawson is delighted with.
"This would be the first time I've had three winners within a fortnight I think," Lawson said.
"Definitely the best week I've had in the last 10 years anyway, I've had a few nice horses over the years, but the last 10 have been pretty quiet."
Lawson's good run began at Parkes on October 26, when nine-year-old gelding Dont Tell Errol scored comfortably by 7.5 metres.
"He's getting old now, but I knew he had a win in him and I think he still has one more with the right run," Lawson said.
Dont Tell Errol is currently sitting on nine career victories.
Lawson's next winner came later that night, courtesy of the John O'Shea driven Dont Tell Dorothy. It marked the trainer's first double at a meeting in around a decade.
"The last time I trained a double was at Penrith, probably 10 years ago," Lawson said.
"It may not have been quite that long, but it wouldn't be far off."
The following week at Dubbo's Sunday meeting, Lawson had two runners engaged, Alta Downs and Dont Tell Phyllis.
First up from a spell, Alta Downs put in a solid run from the awkward 10 barrier draw to pick up third place.
Happy with the run, Lawson was hoping that his other runner might do the same, but wasn't expecting too much with Dont Tell Phyllis also beginning from barrier 10.
But after sitting last on the inside with a lap to go, driver John O'Shea manoeuvred the four-year-old gelding wider on the track where he came with a well-sustained run to score at odds of $21.
Named after Lawson's mother, the lightly raced Dont Tell Phyllis picked up her second career win from only six life-time starts.
The 'Dont Tell' name has become a theme for Lawson's runners since connections bought a colt at the 2006 yearling sales.
Lawson and close friend Martin Barlow convinced Barlow's brother to come in on the yearling with them, but his wife Leanne was not too keen on the idea.
After purchasing the colt, without telling Leanne, they decided to name it Dont Tell Leanne. The name has stuck ever since.
YEARLING SALE
SUNDAY, March 22, 2020 will mark a significant milestone in the history of standardbred horse auctions in this country. It will be the 30th running of the Bathurst Gold Crown Yearling Sale, Australia's largest and oldest provincial harness racing auction.
The first sale was conducted by Parramatta Livestock, of Sydney auctioneer the late George Aiken, and the Bathurst Harness Racing Club at the Bathurst Showground on April 8, 1990. There were 70 lots catalogued and 43 sold at an average price of $1,528.
Parramatta Livestock conducted the first four sales at Bathurst before handing over the baton to Melbourne auctioneer John Aughey's Bartab Pty Ltd in 1994 and 1995.
Ever since the sale has been conducted by well known Dubbo auctioneer Graeme Board OAM, under the banner of Graeme Board & Company.
In 2015 there were a record 208 lots catalogued and 139 were sold for a sales record $1.22 million.
This year's auction saw records achieved for the highest priced colt and filly at $50,000 respectively.
The 2020 sale will be held for the second time at the Bathurst Gold Crown Paceway.
Graeme Board, who will be on the rostrum for his 25th consecutive sale at Bathurst, is confident of another strong sale.
"I look forward to conducting another successful sale for all our breeder clients," Board said.
Entries for the 2020 Bathurst Gold Crown Yearling Sale close on December 1.
To enter your yearling send an email to gboard@bobberry.com.au, phone 0408 636 273 or download an entry form from www.graemeboard.com or at www.goldcrowncarnival.com.au
WOMEN'S GOLF
THE Ray White Emms Mooney sponsored Oberon Women's Golf Open Day was held under sunny skies last Monday. This year there were a number of western district clubs represented including Canowindra, Trangie, Wellington and Cobar, as well as players from Lithgow and Blackheath. Conditions were extremely dry, with plenty of run causing some challenges for visitors and locals alike.
The Oberon golfers did well, taking out a number of the major prizes in Division 1 and 2, however, the Open Day Champion was Lynne Ritchie from Lithgow, with Robyn Slattery the runner up. Nett winner in Division 1 was Katie Graham with Wilma Artery the runner up and the winner of the Division 1 Stableford competition was Robyn Stapleton.
Stella McGrath was the scratch winner in Division 2 and Flo Spence was runner up in the Division 3 Stableford points competition.
All the prizes were purchased locally, as was the raffle contents, which was generously donated by Saul's Grading.
RUGBY LEAGUE
PENRITH Panthers will face the Cronulla Sharks at Carrington Park on Sunday, May 10 next year - the seventh consecutive year they have brought a game to Bathurst.
Bathurst mayor Bobby Bourke said he's looking forward to Bathurst hosting another NRL match.
"The event builds on our city's strong reputation as a destination for major sporting events and Bathurst Regional Council has played a key role in investing in the sporting facilities to ensure they attract premium events such as the NRL," he said.
Each year, the Panthers team conducts a range of activities with the Bathurst community, such as coaching clinics for children. These clinics have always proven popular, with social benefits from these activities contributing to an inclusive sporting community.
Tickets go on sale in December at www.bathurstnrl.com.au.