After recent rain, the sun was a welcome sight at Donald and District Racecourse, for a quality day of winter racing on a soft 7-rated track, which was downgraded to a heavy 8 after race three.
The weather was still cool enough to keep racegoers rugged up, and during winter, many seem to be drawn to the hot food on offer trackside as a source of warmth. These wonderful volunteers don’t just serve food, they serve comfort against the cold and it is greatly appreciated by all who attend the winter meetings.
Winning combination
The fifth race, the Goldacres Handicap over 1620m, was the first of a winning double for jockey Caitlin Hollowood and trainer Shawn Mathrick with Vegas On Fire at $8.00 for the win. Leading from start to finish, it had a big lead with 150 metres to go and romped home by five lengths. In second place, the well-supported Luna Diva, ridden by Brad Rawiller for Andrew Angelone. Three-and-a-half lengths back in third position was Coraggio, ridden by Kate Walters for trainers Bob and Kane Post.
The seventh race, the Bet 365 Handicap over the shorter distance of 1350m was the second of the double for the Hollowgood/Mathrick combination, with Jessup again leading from start to finish for a dominant 5 length win. Punters had got on board with a late run of betting $6 down to $3.70 almost equal favourite, with second place getter, Sasqualah, ridden by Brad Rawiller for trainer Symon Wilde coming in a tight pack with Under The Palais, in third place, ridden by Dakotah Keane and Where’s Poppy in fourth.
Other results
Race one: The first race, the Pacific Fuels Maiden Plate over 1200m distance was won along the straight by Xaphan, ridden by Tom Prebble and trained by Patrick Payne. The winner put on a burst of speed at the 300 metre mark overtaking, the Dabernig-trained Crepescule in second place, ridden by Neil Farley, with three-quarters of a length margin between the two. A length-and-a-half back in third came the favourite, Dimora Queen, ridden by Fred Kersley for Lindsey Smith.
Race two: Donald Steel Metaland Maiden Plate over 1350m was won by the well-backed favourite, Write Your Own, ridden by Fred Kersley for Lindsey Smith. Taking the lead of the pack from the 800 metre-mark, it ran on to defeat Runway Ruler by two lengths in second place, ridden by Neil Farley for Tom Dabernig. In third Wyuna Star, ridden by Tianni Chapman for Daryl Cannon in a photo finish with fourth place-taker, Wichitall, which put on a late burst of speed, but missed out on a place by ducking in towards the inside and losing momentum.
Race three: It was a big field in the distance race sponsored by Megelec Electrical Contractors Maiden Plate and run over 1620 metres. Jenadar, ridden by Ryan Hurdle for Simon Ryan, led the pack, but couldn’t hold up to the challenge along the straight. It looked to be between Dashing Rebel and Jenadar until the well-backed, Mr Shorty, ridden by Will Gordon for Mitchell Freedman, put on a late burst of speed to overtake them both to win by half-a-length. Dashing Rebel, took second place, ridden by Christine Puls for the McKnight stable, with Jenadar closely behind in third after its gallant run.
The first handicap, sponsored by Donald Motor Lodge, was over 1600 metres distance. Sharing the lead with My Heart, Sir William Bruce, ridden by Rose Hammond for John Pearson, showed its staying power hanging on to win by nearly a length margin. In second place, Ahtohallan ridden by Kate Walters for Adam Burns. Coming from amongst the last and taking Dance Ready right to the outside fence, Jack Hill took third place for trainer Shawn Mathrick; the photo decision declared Iceberry fourth place winner.
The sixth race sponsored by Russ Studio Jewellers was appropriately won by Kate’s Tiara, ridden by Dakotah Keane for Alexander Rae and coming in at a shiny price of $12.00 for the win. Leading over the 1200 metre distance from start to finish, it took the win by two lengths from the well-supported, Prudden, ridden by Jake Duffy for trainer Danny Laws. Two thirds of a length behind in third place, Huguenot ridden by Tianni Chapman for trainer Helen Burns.
An incident happened as the horses were heading to the barrier, Love The Action dislodged his rider, Will Gordon and did a lap of the track before stewards declared it a late scratching.
The final handicap sponsored by Buloke Plumbing Handicap was a sprint over 1000 metres. A late scratching on vet’s advice delayed the start of the race slightly, with Superior Force scratched at the starting gate. Gaining an early lead, Destiny’s Prophet, ridden by Neil Farley for trainer Chris Davis, led the field to win comfortably by three-and-a-half lengths, uncomfortably for punters at $17.00 for the win. A photo for second and third declared Brazen Brando to be second-place winner, ridden by Matthew Cartwright for trainer Dan O’Sullivan and in third place, Borneo, ridden by Caitlin Hollowood for trainer Kelvin Bourke. In fourth place, the very well backed favourite Zipitup, must have disappointed many a punter.
Next meeting
Racing returns to Donald on Saturday, July 13, and is being promoted as a “Community Club Day” with free admission to members of any clubs in Donald.
Come along and enjoy another day of winter racing – see you there!
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 25 June 2024.
