Peter Hibberd, The Buloke Times

The Boort Club, which dates back to 1891, again had a very good sized crowd to watch the eight scheduled races.

Trainers again showed their support, coming from all parts of Victoria and South Australia.

Pacing Cup

The race was decided by the judge after three horses crossed the finish line basically together.

In the early part of the race, Missed The Truth led, but was joined midrace by Pas Guarantee. Cee Cee In America, driven by Ryan Sanderson, was able to trail Pas Guarantee.

On the home bend, there three horses settled down to an epic battle. The judge’s decision went the way of Pas Guarantee, defeating Cee Cee In America by a nose, with Missed The Truth in third placing, beaten by half a neck.

The winning driver was Jack Laugher and was trained by Mark Thompson. This was “Cee Cee’s” second nose defeat in recent starts.

Trotting Cup

After winning the heat and final of the Central Victorian Trotters’ Championship, the Phillip Giles-trained Double Helix led all the way to win the Trotters’ Cup. Being a very good stand-start horse, this was the key to this victory.

Driver Jackie Barker certainly has the key to this horse in its last three wins. Jackie was driving for Team Teal, which is a fundraiser for ovarian cancer that is supported by Harness Racing Victoria.

Life memberships

These awards are given to someone in the club who goes above and beyond their duties.

The honourable Peter Walsh M.P. gave out two life memberships.

Colin Osborne has been numbers clerk for 40 years. He said it was an amazing job and he had met some great people in that time.

Ray Stoman was totally stunned when his name was read out. Ray is the local policeman. He has been in Boort for 34 years and on the committee for the same amount of time. Well done to both.

Other winners

Driver James Herbertson drove the first and last race winners in Final Bow and Sadie Jayne. The last race winner, Sadie Jayne is trained at Mt. Gambier by Alyce Finnis. Speaking after the race, Alyce said that, with travel time, they would be home about 11 p.m., but with a winner and a second placing, it won’t be that bad.

Jilliby Flash, trained by Marg Lee near Terang and having not raced since August, was an impressive winner, considering he did a few things wrong.

Mighty Regal had not raced for 12 months, but was able to lead all the way for driver, David Murphy. A very good training performance by Jody Woodham-Murdoch.

Thoroughbred racing

Locally owned Lady Solly won in the fifth race at Moonee Valley on Sunday last. Solly is owned by Jacqui Hogan, Chris Guthrie and the late-Greg Hogan Estate.

This mare only has one more race start scheduled before she will be retired and sent to stud. Sunday’s win was a good tonic for Jean Hogan who had a fall recently, wishing Jean a speedy recovery.

Another local-interest horse, Pounding, owned by the “Birchip Connection” came second in the Blamey Stakes on Saturday. It is now up to the committee at Moonee Valley to decide on the invitations to be issued for the All-Star Mile.

Coming up

• Mallee Bull Cups next Sunday.
• Blue Sunday at Charlton, March 19.
• Donald races, March 26. 

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 7 March 2023.