IN a close finish Lamma Hilton recently snatched victory in the $32,000 Pacific Palms Holidays Tuncurry-Forster Tooheys XXXX Gold Cup. Popular jockey Rachel King was in the saddle who took the Cup in the last bound of the 2100 metres event which was in front of about 3000 people who enjoyed the hospitality and good facilities that have been established via the Forster-Tuncurry Jockey Club (FTJC).
The FTJC chairman Gary McQuillan was excited over the day’s proceedings and only expects the meeting to grow in stature, particularly with its new “The Pearl”, a race targeting sprinters.
“The Cup (race) is great, but we (FTJC) want to build this race (The Pearl) up to be a feature here on the coast,” said Gary at the conclusion of the meet.
The Cup is great, but we want to build this race up to be a feature here on the coast.
- Gary McQuillan
“It (The Pearl) will be lending its name to the local oysters as well as selling our region. We are coastal country racing at its best.”
The Pearl was taken by Snippetson four-year-old Better Not Fly, who was prepared by Port Macquarie conditioner Tas Morton, also the owner of the inaugural The Evermore Pearl (1200 metres) race and which was ridden by “Port” hoop Ben Looker. The jockey is likely to be riding a race of his life aboard fancied runner Victorem in the $1.3 million The Kosciuszko at Randwick next month.
The Cup winner Lamma Hilton – a Casino Prince mare, was the first Tuncurry/Forster Cup winner for Scone trainer Brett Cavanagh, having only one other runner previously at the coastal circuit. Its Christmas raceday party is Forster-Tuncurry’s next meet on December 10.
Aggies day at Wagga
IN the south, friendships were rekindled when about 6000 people landed at Wagga Wagga last Saturday for the Murrumbidgee Turf Club’s “Aggies Day” at the races. About 17 years ago local Peter Worsley was injured when playing rugby union for the city’s Agricultural College (now Charles Stuart University) and hence this day’s initiation to raise funds. The meet has since thrived with thousands of former and current University students from around Australia returning for annual reunions.
Local leading conditioner Trevor Sutherland took honours when preparing three winners including the Peter Worsley Aggies Cup with Bon Hoffa gelding Run Hoff Run, while Southern Districts based hoop Nick Heywood had two wins from the six races. Meanwhile in Sydney – Winx notched her 27th successive win, wow.
Grenfell races this Saturday
A FREE entry is on offer for racing enthusiasts attending the Grenfell Jockey Club’s Cup meet this Saturday. But as a jest towards the state’s suffering people of the appallingly dry conditions, the club is asking racegoers for a donation in lieu of an entry fee with all monies raised going to the drought relief. Six races are scheduled for the meet with highlights including the 2000 metres Grenfell Cup and The Loaded Dog, a feature over 1400 metres.
Zoustar tops
IT is not surprising to learn that Widden Stud – home to last season’s champion Australian first crop sire Zoustar, recently buying into his stakes winning first crop son Zouzain. Zouzain finished fourth at his first start back from a spell in the ATC Run To The Rose-G2 at Rosehill last Saturday week, a race that his sire also ran fourth in when trained by the same leading trainer, Chris Waller.
Krambach Cup next month
WHILE the Manning Valley Race Club will be hosting the $32,000 Krambach Cup among its eight races on Friday October 19, the Krambach Cup gala dinner will be held this Saturday evening at its local hall. Dating back to 1882, the Krambach Race Club raced on its own racecourse over different periods, but it was merged with the Taree-Wingham Race Club to become the Manning Valley Race Club.
