Monelli Pair Prove A Welcome Addition For Apap

TWO decades of friendship landed a winning double at Ipswich on Monday night for Gatton trainer Tony Apap and WA owner David Hobby.

“David came and stayed with us when he came to Queensland 20 years ago for the Nationals,” said Apap.

“And, when I took Wag Tail to Perth when she ran third to Sweet It Is and Xylia Allen in the distance final, I stayed with David.”

Hobby refused to get vaccinated recently and has given up training moving his huge team to other trainers.

Apap was asked to take four Collision and Sara Monelli littermates.

Two of those, Declan Monelli and Paddy Monelli, won at Ipswich on Monday night at their first starts for the new kennel.

Declan Monelli ran the quickest of the night at 30.82 when scoring narrowly in a 4th-5th Grade (520m) beating Ivana Keeping.

It was his fourth win from seven race starts having previously won at Cannington for Hobby in a fast 29.88.

Paddy Monelli went 31.11 to win a Novice beating Barefoot Diva.

It was his second win in six starts.

“Declan is the pick of the four,” said Apap. “His run was pretty good considering the track had been turned over prior to the meeting.”