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On Chinchilla’s historic first day of racing on the national stage, Leonard Mawn will carry the hopes of the locals aiming to grab a debut victory.
On Monday afternoon, the Chinchilla Race Club will join fellow regional Queensland clubs such as Thangool, Ewan and Innisfail, among others, who have hosted their first TAB race days in recent years.
Industry participants from all over the Sunshine State are descending on Chinchilla for their maiden appearance, with almost 140 gallopers nominated across the seven races, which 104 accepted as of Thursday morning.
While the number of locally trained horses have increased in recent years, the Leonard Mawn barn has been a mainstay in the town and the experienced horseman will start two from his team on Monday.
It would be fitting if a star of regional racing in Queensland over the last few years was to win at Chinchilla on Monday - Hanover Square.
The veteran gelding has battled injuries in recent times but Mawn believes he is back to near his best ahead of the 1400-metre Open Handicap.
"This is the first time since September 2020 that I feel he is right with his full fitness and health," he said.
"I am expecting him to race well.
"His form has been good without winning and he probably gets his chance to run a decent race on his home track on Monday.
"He has no excuses on Monday."
The Mawn-trained eight-year-old won the 2019 edition of the Battle of the Bush as well as being beaten in a photo-finish for the 2019 Cleveland Bay Handicap at Cluden Park.
Hanover Square has gone through a number of trainers in recent years and is now back in the stable of his original Queensland-based trainer and part-owner Mawn.
Hanover Square wrote his named into the record books back in 2019, claiming the BOTB Final at Eagle Farm at big odds under hoop Michael Cahill.
He has been a veteran war horse for the stable and Mawn believes Hanover Square is the leading hope of his two chances on Monday.
Over the last four years, around $800,000 worth of grants have been approved for the Chinchilla Race Club, from a number of bodies including Racing Queensland and the state and federal government, among others.
The club was previously a non-TAB club and raced on the country circuit.
