Quill McQuilty, The Buloke Times
A huge crowd turned out for Derby Day in the Country and the running of the Elder’s Mt Wycheproof Cup on Saturday, at Wycheproof, in fine, warm weather and a lovely cooling breeze to keep racegoers comfortable.
The prestigious feature race was won by Bannerton, trained by Austy Coffey and ridden by Nathan Punch a head and neck ahead of Samurai Star, ridden by Cian MacRedmond for Mitchell Freedman.
In third place came Rose Hammond on Jefferson, another runner from Austy Coffey’s stable, who was coincidentally celebrating his birthday anniversary on the day. What a fine birthday present for the well-known trainer to return to such familiar territory to take out the Cup win, Happy birthday, Austy!
Along with the winner of the Mt. Wycheproof Cup, another milestone was celebrated, with race caller Ric McIntosh “RicMac” achieving his 20th Cup race at Wycheproof, as “the voice from on high”. The club and community thanked him with a special memento for so many years of loyal service.
Following the presentations, Kevin Thompson, president of the Mt Wycheproof and District Racing Club, expressed the club’s gratitude to the event’s sponsors, particularly Cup sponsor Elders, along with thanks to volunteers, officials and all those who contributed to another fantastic Derby Day in the Country.
From Ireland
A notable riding performance was that of newcomer Cian MacRedmond, from Ireland, who has been in Australia for only three months and has already had success with 3 wins and 7 places from 25 starts. One of those wins was on Saturday in the second race at Wycheproof, riding Blaiken for trainer Julie Scott. Cian also gained third place in race three riding Grunnettan and second place in the Cup race riding Samurai Star; certainly the racing community will have eyes on this young rider’s progress in the future.
The seven-race program offered quality competition on the field, racing on a good 4-rated track. Trainer Dane Smith and jockey Sheridan Clarke combined for a winning double in the final two races with Take the Prize and Ovabent, respectively, heartily enjoying their success; while many patrons lined up trackside celebrated individual punting wins with roars of appreciation throughout the day.
Results
Race one: After driving to lead with 100 metres to go, Tookay Pete took the win by over two lengths in the first race of the program, the Busbiz Maiden Plate over 1050 metres. Brittany Button was the winning jockey for trainer Melissa Page. Coming in second, Attaboom, ridden by Alana Kelly for trainer Anthony Cosgriff, with Prison Bars in a photo for third, ridden by John Keating; the starting favourite, Miss Molakai took fourth place.
Race two: The Wimmera Mallee Accounting Maiden Plate over 1400 metres showed an impressive run by Blaiken, ridden by Cian Mac-Redmond for trainer Julie Scott. It took an early lead and held on to win comfortably by a length and a half. In second place, Cadusa’s Fury, ridden by Rose Hammond for trainer Andrew Bobbin only a half head in front of third placegetter, Mr Fulltime, ridden by John Keating, with the well-backed Anglesea Tilda gaining fourth.
Race three: The Bet 365 Maiden Plate over 1800m was claimed by half a head margin in an exciting run by last-out-of-the-gates, Scodelario, ridden by Alysha Warren for Mildura trainer Rahama McDonald at $8.90 odds. Classic Story, the favourite, led the field of runners out of the gates and set a cracking pace for a distance maiden race. Only 400 metres into the run there was a gap of nearly 10 lengths between the leading horses and the two consequent winners at the tail-end of the pack.
With only 200 metres to go, the two in the rear made their move on the outside, passing those who couldn’t stay the distance at such a speed. Classic Story, ridden by Logan McNeil for trainer Brian McGrath, showed its stamina and why it was the odds-on favourite hanging on to second place. Half a length back in third place, Grunnettan, which had been last in the field of runners, ridden by Cian MacRedmond. A huge margin showed the ones left out of breath, with Ocotillo nearly 10 lengths back in fourth.
Race four: The Hayden Kelly and Family Handicap sprint over 1050 metres was confidently won with three and a half lengths to spare. The well-backed Zalini, ridden by Alana Kelly for Stawell trainer Andrew Bobbin, came from a good position just behind the leading runner, putting on a burst of speed along the straight for first place. Second and third place winners came from the rear of the pack to finish with a half length margin between them. Toojay, ridden by Alysha Warren for trainer Nathan Hobson claimed second, while in third place, at $12.60-odds, came Miss Mouse, ridden by Jade Da Rose, with Frowned in fourth position.
Race five/the Cup: The Elders Mt. Wycheproof Cup over 1800 metres was the feature race of the program; with only six runners it still offered quality competition. Bannerton, ridden by Nathan Punch for Austy Coffey put on a late burst of speed to win by head and neck margin, its secong country cup win after Manangatang in 2022. The well-favoured Samurai Star, ridden by Cian MacRedmond for Mitchell Freedman was positioned at the rear of the field, however, with good cover to place pressure on the front runners, it gave chase along the straight to claim second position by over a length to the front runner, Jefferson, coming in third at $8.80-odds, ridden by Rose Hammond, with Alibey in fourth.
Race six: The Jan Miller Tribute race over 1400 metres was claimed by two lengths by Take The Prize, ridden by Sheridan Clarke for trainer Dane Smith at very favourable odds after leading the field from start to finish. Though the winner was well-backed, second and third place getters were at double figure odds and may have disappointed favourite punters. In second place was Tatsuro $14.80 odds, ridden by Ryan Houston for Austy Coffey, with less than a length margin separating Minesite in third place, ridden by John Keating, and Tiny Rebel in fourth position.
Race seven: The McLennan Bulk Fuel sponsored handicap over 1800 metres was won by Ovabent, trained by Dane Smith and ridden by Sheridan Clarke, making it a winning double for this combination. The winning horse took the front of the field with 600 metres to go and held on to win by a nose margin. In second place, the favourite Rocket Boy, ridden by Nathan Punch for Nathan Hobson. A head behind in third place, Dente’s Inferno, ridden by Alana Kelly, with Moxatation less than a length back in fourth.
Mt. Wycheproof and District Racing Club should be commended on such a successful event; following the challenges of covid and weather restraints in recent years, this year’s Cup Day Carnival went without a hitch and was enjoyed by thousands from all over the country. It is truly an incredible reflection of the community coming together each year to support the club’s iconic cup race through volunteer support and sponsorship. Well done to all involved.
The Mt. Wycheproof Cup Day showed it is still alive and thriving, but no need to pout if you missed out this time, you can get your Country Cup fix at Donald Racecourse in two weeks when it holds its Cup Carnival celebrations on Sunday, November 17.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 5 November 2024.
