Bakos-Schrapel honored with single result

By Jordan Gerrans

The Longreach Publican’s Cup is not a well-known feature race outside of the Central West district in the Sunshine State but for winning hoop Anna Bakos-Schrapel it felt like a Group-level event on Sunday afternoon.

The Ipswich-based rider has endured a difficult last year or so, sidelined with a broken leg for a period of time as well as a fall at Aramac which resulted in ligament damage in her knee.

Bakos-Schrapel scored aboard Single Honor for local trainer Mark Oates in the feature race on Longreach’s non-TAB program on Sunday.

The 32-year-old has been back race riding in recent weeks following her couple of injury setbacks.

The victory aboard Single Honor came exactly a year to the day from when she broke her leg, which started the run of bad luck.

So, to land the feature prize with the gelding, it was an emotional occasion for the well-travelled hoop.

“It was such a relief and I was so happy,” Bakos-Schrapel said.

“The first person I called once I got out of the races was my husband Michael (fellow jockey) and he was so elated and proud for me.

“He has been there through everything and seen the good and bad days I have had.

“He has been amazing for me. It has been a long 12 months with a lot of ups and downs.”

The voice of racing in the Central West Andrew Watts noted Bakos-Schrapel’s perseverance and determination in his call of the Open Handicap over 1200 metres.

“She has had a torrid 12 months and it is well deserved,” Watts said.

Fellow regional caller Rob Luck also praised the jockey’s efforts on radio on Tuesday.

“You couldn’t have wished for a more perfect result,” Luck said.

With Single Honor having his first start for the Oates barn, the gelding was able to lead comfortably after Bakos-Schrapel fired him out from a wide alley.

He did not look like getting beaten during the trip as he scored by more than a length in the finish.

The victory was Bakos-Schrapel’s first since early March of last year at Charleville.

“Mark was keen for me to bounce him out and keep him happy, if he wants to roll forward – then let him be,” she said.

“That is what he did, he wanted to lead and he did it from the start to the winning post.

“The horse will get a lot of improvement out of the run and I think will gain a lot of confidence from it, as well.

“He wasn’t at his best previously but Mark pretty well has him spot on now. You will see a fair few more wins out of him yet.

“Mark puts a lot of work into his horses and they are always presented immaculate, there is not many people who take their horses looking better than he does.”

Earlier in the program on Sunday at Longreach, Bakos-Schrapel took two rides for Winton horseman Ray Hermann – who both finished third – while Single Honor is owned by Clarry Hermann.

The long-time bush racing clan have taken the jockey under their wing when she has travelled to the Central West over the years.

“I couldn’t thank them enough for how much they have supported me and what they have done for me,” she said.

“Realistically, they have been my biggest supporters. Whenever I go out to Winton, I stay with them as they are family, more or less.

“They are not friends or associates – they are family.”

Following her couple of recent injury setbacks, Bakos-Schrapel says she is fighting fit and keen to rack up more winners in the coming weeks.

“Since being given the all-clear, it has been an enormous difference with the way I can walk around properly,” she said.

“It has improved out of sight.”