A fiercely determined wind seemed to blow spectators away from the Donald racecourse on Saturday, leaving behind only die-hard fans and those in the industry to enjoy the quality racing on display.
Aside from the wind, the weather was picture-perfect, and the track, rated a soft 7, was upgraded to a soft 6 early in the program, with the rail in the true position for the entire circuit.
The bookies’ shed was the best location of the day to catch sunshine without the wind, and most ventured from there or from inside the main club building to watch the action on the track.
Warm meals were offered from both locations, with Friends of EWHS Donald Campus catering three courses in the main building, outside in the courtyard, Donald Lions Club was providing its barbecue, and St. Mary’s kiosk serving its steamed dim sims and hot dogs. Many thanks to those volunteers for braving the cold windy conditions to keep racegoers warm and fed at race meetings; your efforts were evidently appreciated on Saturday.
The long-awaited running of the Weir’s IGA Donald two-year-old Classic was the feature in race four and it was the first maiden race to disappoint favourite punters. In a very close finish, the Patrick Paynetrained Simple Times, ridden by Will Gordon passed the post a neck ahead of the favourite runners Washington and Spirit of Nurai in a photo finish for second and third place respectively. This win made it a double on the day for jockey Will Gordon.
Results
Race one: In the Petrogas Maiden Plate first race, the favourite horses were the ones to watch. Sitting back behind the lead runner for the 1620 metre-race, Boh Rap the favourite, Noyers the second favourite, and Prickley Prince the third favourite, all overtook the lead runner on the turn to the home straight and crossed the finish line in that order. Boh Rap, however, impressed with a very fast run resulting in a four-length margin separating first and second places. Will Gordon was the winning jockey on Boh Rap, for trainer Dan O’Sullivan.
Race two: The Megelec Electrical sponsored 1350 metre maiden race two was again for the favourite punters, with emergency runner Palantus from the Maher/Eustace stable gaining great interest. And it looked the goods in the mounting yard as well, not surprisingly led the race from the gates and finished with a battle down the straight with the other heavily-supported favourite, Leica Trooper, eventually winning by a length. In third place, Lady Of Steel.
The winning jockey in this race, Suraj Narredu, has only recently arrived in Australia after a successful riding career overseas in India. This is his third win in Australia since mid-April, his first on Pasheona at Kilmore on May 11 was also for the Maher/Eustace stable, followed by his second win at Cranbourne the next day on Country’s Light for trainer Tetyana Furdetska.
Race three: In the third race, the Donald Motor Lodge Maiden Plate over 1200 metres, the odds-on favourite Sunfish, ridden by Brad Rawiller for trainer Symon Wilde, held all the punters in suspense. Running in late from a mid-field position, it overtook the runners at the very last, taking first place a neck ahead of Medinah in second place, with All Black in third.
Race five: The Bart Stiles Bookmaker 1200 metre handicap race five was another close finish. At long odds of $26, Magic Edition, ridden by Christine Puls for the McKnight stable, jumped well from the gates and led the pack to the post for the win. The grey, Frostwood, was in hot pursuit along the straight, putting pressure on the winner in a close half-head margin between first and second place. A length behind the leading two was a photo result, with Bonjour awarded third and One Out in fourth.
Race six: The Donald Steel Metal and handicap sprint over 1000 metres was another longshot winner, with Bastyan, ridden by Dylan Turner for trainer Russell Brown, taking the win at $41 odds, first up after injury. Overtaking the pack out wide on the track, the winners crossed the line in a bunch, with half a head between the first two; Bekele in second place. Freddy Mac took third place a half a length ahead of Coeur De Paris in fourth.
Race seven: In the seventh, sponsored by Mackay’s Family Jewellers, the favourites dominated the 1620 metre race. The Dean Binaisse-trained, Orrong Road, ridden by Matthew Chadwick, flashed past Warren, ridden by John McArdie at the last to win, with Bellator in third place and Sanctimonious in fourth. Margins of three-quarters of a length separated the winners.
Race eight: The final race of the day would have pleased favourite punters when the well-supported, Ellen’s Licence, ridden by Jarrod Lorensini took a commanding lead in the 1350 metre race. In a double for the Patrick Payne stable, the mare dashed for home at the turn, winning by two-and-a-half lengths. This is the second time this horse has raced and won at the Donald track. In second place, also well-supported, Where’s Poppy, with Mayan a half-a-length taking third, and True Nobility coming into fourth place.
Coming Up
The next local race meeting will be later in the month at Warracknabeal on June 30.
Next month, Donald meets again on Monday, July 10. On Saturday, July 15, the Marma Cup will run at Murtoa, followed by another Warrackna-beal meeting scheduled for Saturday, July 29.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 16 June 2023.
