Outback Queenie rules in Birchip Cup

“You’re better to be lucky than good looking”, according to happy-go-lucky Maryborough harness racing horseman Tim Mortlock, who won his first Birchip Mallee Bull Pacing Cup when four-year-old mare Outback Queenie (Fear the Dragon) proved too good in warm conditions yesterday (Mar 10).

“We’re real happy to finally get the job done. One of my other horses Double The Hunter has been sent out favorite in the last few Birchip Cups, but he’s either had no luck or hasn’t been quite good enough on the day,” Mortlock said after the race.

“I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be a long night of celebrations. There’s a couple of bands playing and there was a big crowd at the cup and most of them are hanging around. No-one is going home, because it’s always one big after party at Birchip!”

Outback Queenie pounced on the lead from barrier four and after a sizzling lead time, which was run in record time, driver Michelle Phillips steadied things up a bit running quarters of 31.6, 30.1, 28.9 and 31, for an overall mile rate of 1.59-3.

See the results and replays click here.

Mortlock is a grandson of legendary trainer-driver Jack Hargreaves, who died in 2012, and races Outback Queenie in partnership with his mother Helen and good mate Peter Fitzpatrick.

“I ended up with the dam Macy Lila (Presidential Ball) because ‘Fitzy’ had nowhere to keep her and a few others a few years ago,” Mortlock said.

“He thought Macy Lila hadn’t got in foal but when I went out the next day to check on her, I was certain she was in foal – and, sure enough, not all that long later, Outback Queenie was born,” he said.

“Mum is a partner in all my horses so we agreed on a deal with ‘Fitzy’ and cut him in with a one-third share.”

Outback Queenie is now a winner of six races.  She is a half-sister to the Emma Stewart trained Major Moth (Art Major), who won the Breeders Crown for Colts and Geldings of her year in 2020.

Since Outback Queenie, Macy Lila has had foals to Ride High and Art Major.

Mortlock also finished fifth in the Birchip Cup with his other runner Double The Hunter, which is now again being aimed at the Ouyen Pacing Cup.

” I was happy with his effort at Birchip, and I’ve got to take him back to defend his Ouyen title from last year,” he said.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink