Parppy Lands Sentimental Win for Simmons

Cluden maiden winner Parppy ‘N’ Me will have a home for life, according to Mackay trainer Tracy Simmons.

Simmons bred and raced the gelding with her late father John “Ginger” Manzelmann, the head of Mackay’s famous racing family, who passed away in November.

Having only his fifth race start, Parppy ‘N’ Me fended off multiple challenges to win the WRC Mdn Hcp (1000m) to give Simmons the first leg of a winning double.

She also won the last with roughie Spirit Of Mac who slogged out a tough win in trying conditions in the Great Northern Brewing Co C3 Plate (1000m).

But Parppy ‘N’ Me’s sentimental win topped the day.

“That’s actually a very special horse. He’s the last horse my father and I bred out of one of my brother John’s mares Lokelani,” Simmons said.

“Parppy was what I called my father, so that’s how we got the name.

“He was born and raised on my farm. I train differently. I don’t track work ride, and I work them off the side of a car.

“He’s extremely green. I sent him down to Kris Hansen in Rocky for a couple of months. He did a lot of work with him and sent him home and I’ve given him two starts since.

“He still has no idea where his feet should go. He’ll live with me on my farm for forever and a day no matter what he does.

“I thought Mac would go close today and I would have been happy with a place with him so a win was great, and the little horse’s win was special for sentimental reasons.”

Simmons in true Manzelmann fashion is accustomed to plenty of travel but the 48 hours leading up to Sunday’s meeting clocked up the miles by air and road.

“My step daughter Hope got married in NSW last night. I flew to Brisbane and then drove to Grafton. We left at 3am this morning. I got a 9am flight to Townsville today. Josh Manzelmann and one of my strappers Riley drove the horses up for me,” Simmons said.

“Then Johnny broke down coming home from Ingham and I went and picked him up.

“So it’s been a very eventful couple of days.”