By Duane Ranger
First time reinsman, Connor Traynor, has produced one of the greatest finishes ever seen in 45 years of trotting at Dicelands Raceway.
The 21-year-old Brisbane music and drama student, came from the clouds to get up and win the Group One Anne Ranger Memorial ‘Roast Meat’ Pace.
The 1,609m stand was raced at 3.15pm¬ yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon at Diceland’s Redcliffe-based track – Albert Park.
Traynor’s 3-year-old black colt aptly named, Musical Genius, was having his first start at The Raceway. He drew two and was the second favourite.
Traynor, who just an hour earlier finished second behind Fenrir (Troy Spencer) with Rock N Roll in the Redcliffe Free-For-All, never looked like winning the 1609m stand at the half (800m).
After a slow start, Musical Genius, was second last entering the back straight the final time, before unleashing a blistering late run to pip fourth favourite, Sealed With A Kiss (Matthew McDowell) right on the line.
The 21-year-old Mt Cotton (rural Redland) student came from near last at the 800m to steal a race which looked McDowell’s for the taking.
“I can’t believe I won that. I was in a hopeless position at the half way stage. He was a bit wayward at the start and then he flew from nowhere.
“I love this game. I’m glad I won this race for your Mum. I’ll treasure the trophy and prize money. I’ll be back,” the JMC Academy (south Brisbane) pupil said.
Musical Genius might have been a forlorn hope for much of the Group One, but horse conservation, timing, strategy, and an ounce of luck got the colt home.
“It was that move before I entered the home straight that got me the win. If I had gone one more square I would have been down to a single dice – but instead I hooked the horse wide. It was that move and then the lucky double six, and then a single throw straight after, that got me home – just!” Traynor said.
The Queensland driving talent was also pleased that his father, Ivor, went a big race in the ‘Roast Meat.’
“I was rapt that Dad finished third because he broke and then didn’t have much luck in the Free-For-All (8th) earlier,” Traynor said.
The first three home in the Anne Ranger Memorial Roast Meat Pace were Musical Genius (Connor Traynor) first; Sealed With A Kiss (Matthew McDowell) second; and Hartlands (Ivor Traynor) third. Margins a head and seven lengths.
The result of the Redcliffe Free-For-All: Fenrir (Troy Spencer) first; Rock N Roll (Connor Traynor) second; Slappy (Fur T. Spencer) third.
“I had a good day out,” young Traynor said.
Did he what!
As well as cleaning up on the race track the talented musician, who plays several instruments, also won the $20 Highest Bobs Score & Trophy.
His tally of 59 couldn’t be caught after four hours of everyone trying. This game was invented in 1966 and comes as part of the ‘Dicelands Day Out Package’.
Footnote: Traynor’s winning silks (below) are the black with the green diamonds and black hat.
For the record: Anne Ranger (Mum) won several races at Dicelands before passing away in 2018. Her best horse Roast Meat won four from 11. Sadly, Roast Meat, died when Mum passed on, but she did leave Roast Beef, who in turn has a 2yo juvenile named Slice Of Ham.
That grand-daughter of Roast Meat is ready to make her debut at one of the three other meetings this 2022 Dicelands season, or at this meeting next year.
Stop Press: The field for this year’s Anne Ranger Memorial Roast Meat Pace was led out by the inaugural winner, Nidenud (Doug Ranger) pictured above. Sadly Dad, one of Dicelands’ most experienced drivers, couldn’t make Wednesday’s meeting.
