TINTO CROWNED HORSE OF THE YEAR

It has been an unforgettable season for the connections of Tinto after being crowned the 2014/15 Toowoomba Turf Club Horse of the Year at the annual racing awards this evening.

Tinto etched her name into the record books after her outstanding win in the Listed City of Toowoomba Bernborough Handicap at Clifford Park on New Year’s Eve, preceding her win in the Magic Millions Stayers Cup at the Gold Coast on January 10.

Bred and owned by local racing enthusiasts Grania McAlpine and Annabelle Raff, their home bred talent continued to achieve black type success after achieving Group 1 victory in the Queensland Oaks in 2014.

Local owner and breeder Dr Kim McCasker, was recognised for his contribution to the Toowoomba thoroughbred racing industry.

For over 25 years, Dr McCasker has dedicated his passion and love to racing and breeding thoroughbreds, supporting the local industry and service on the Toowoomba Turf Club committee.

Trainer Tony Sears claimed his first Clifford Park premiership title since arriving 22 years ago.

Sears’ steady flow of winners throughout the season quickly put him at the top of the leader board and he maintained a healthy lead throughout, recording a 12-win victory with a total of 37 wins.

Racing enthusiasts John and Gaye Harvey collected the Owner’s Premiership and are involved in a string of horses under the care of local premiership winning trainer Tony Sears.

Jockey Skye Bogenhuber collected her fourth consecutive Clifford Park premiership and runner-up Emma Ljung, was awarded Apprentice of the Year.

Clifford Park trainer Matt Kropp was awarded The Chronicle-Clear Mountain Fairview Training Performance of the Year after his season of consistent and notable winners across south-east Queensland.

Owner Robert Theis was awarded the Toowoomba Turf Club Bookmakers Award after the winning efforts of his galloper Hey Murri on May 23, which paid $101, the largest dividend paid out for the season at Clifford Park.

The successful partnership of trainer Donald ‘Duckie’ Baker and owner Peta Siebenhausen, paid dividends with the pair collecting Strike Rate Trainer of the Year and Strike Rate Owner of the Year respectively.

TTC Chief Executive Officer Blair Odgers praised all of the Toowoomba Turf Club Racing Awards’ winners at Clifford Park’s annual event.

“On behalf of the Toowoomba Turf Club, we congratulate all winners, in particular, the McAlpine and Raff families and trainer Rex Lipp, for their continued success with local galloper Tinto and now Toowoomba Turf Club Horse of the Year,” Mr Odgers said.

“It was a rewarding season for our local participants as our prestigious Audi Centre Toowoomba Weetwood was elevated to metropolitan status which was a major achievement and was proved successful.

“We also paid tribute to our late and dear friend, Mr Pat O’Shea and look forward to the running of the annual Pat O’Shea Plate, formally the Hopeful Plate, which will be hosted at Clifford Park on September 26,” Odgers said.

The 2014/15 Toowoomba Turf Club Racing Award winners are as follows;