CAPTION: Trainer Seona Thompson, who trained Penthouse to win the Black Top 10 years ago.

TEN YEARS AGO – SEPTEMBER 2011

PENTHOUSE, trained by Seona Thompson, wins the Gr 2 $40,000 to the winner Black Top at the Gardens. Fancy Dean and Divine Law filled the placings.

SHIMAGUNI, trained in Victoria by Jimmy Redenbach, scores a four lengths win in the Gr 3 Chairman’s Cup at Wentworth Park.

JOHN FINN’S Prince Diablo wins the Gr 3 Canberra Cup. The margin was seven lengths and the time of 29.96 a track record. It was a high class field. Oaks Road finished second and Push the Paint third.

TWENTY YEARS AGO – SEPT, 2001

HENERIK BALE, owned by Paul Wheeler and trained by Graeme Bate, wins the Gr 1 National Sprint Championship on home soil at the Meadows. It was a Victorian quinella with Carlisle Jack second. Third home was Silver Saul representing South Australia.

WHEELER AND BATE combine to win the Gr 1 Silver Chief Classic at the Meadows with Burali Bale. In a close finish, Burali Bale beat Halla’s Rocket by a head. Phantom Devil ran third.

BRIGHT EBONY is almost a hometown win in the Gr 3 $12,000 to the winner Lismore Cup. The dog romped home by four lengths in 29.42. Trainer Jim Madigan lives near Grafton.

THIRTY YEARS AGO – SEPT, 1991

JIM NEARY stood down as president of the Gabba GRC in Brisbane after eight years in the position. He is succeeded by Michael Byrne, QC. Byrne was a ‘two clubs’ president, with the Gabba moving to Albion Park in 1993. He was president for 22 years, from 1991 to 2013.

JESSICA CASEY, a high quality racer, wins the National Sprint Championship on her home track, Wentworth Park. The John Finn-trained bitch scored by two lengths from box six and was the 6 to 4 ($2.50) favourite. Racing Hawk representing WA finished second at 66 to 1. Another outsider, 25 to 1 chance Just Brilliant, finished third for Tasmania.

RACING MINISTERS in the eastern states were Bob Gibbs (Qld.), George Souris (NSW), Neil Trezise (Vic.). It would be fair to say each performed well in the racing portfolio.