Quill, The Buloke Times

Tuesday’s mid-week meeting at Donald and District Race Club was one that reminded me of the perks of my job as the local race reporter; what a glorious day to get out of the office and go to the races!

The weather was picture perfect, and the track rating of soft 5 was quickly upgraded to a good 4 after the first race, as a moderate mid-week crowd of spectators revelled in the sunshine.

There was a buzz of excitement around the grounds with Harry Coffey’s win total sitting at 997 prior to the first of his eight races on the day. The question on everyone’s mind was, “Would Harry make it to one thousand wins here at Donald today?” My question was a little quirkier: “How will I get him to hold up a thousand fingers for the photo if he does?”

Two to go

After his first win in the second race, it was just two to go… Harry’s own prediction after this win was that it wouldn’t happen. His tips were better than mine; I was certain he’d reach the milestone, especially after a follow up win in race three. Perhaps I was just drawn in hope to the story. Such a major milestone would have been highly celebrated on the Donald track, where five of his uncles and an aunty have run horses; just a hop, skip and a jump from Birchip, which the Coffeys call home.

One to go

Alas, the double was where he stayed, coming a close second in race six, as if to tease us all. Nevertheless, sitting at an amazing 999 wins in total, Harry’s next race card will be eagerly anticipated by his followers, looking forward to celebrating this major milestone with him.

Another jockey to deliver a double on the day was Jett Stanley, taking first place in the first race on Habenaria, then again claiming first on Elena Montero in race seven. Will Gordon also won two, on I’ll be there in the fifth, and Asawin in the final race.

Donald’s mid-week races

A couple of late scratchings on the day were interesting to note. The first was in the fourth race, when Berimbolo played up in the mounting yard.

The fractitious mare was unable to be mounted by jockey Thomas Doyle, who bravely attempted several times to gain his seat, while the mare kicked out and reared repeatedly. At $101 it did not do much to affect the betting market; however, did provide some excitement for spectators who watched with hitched breath for the outcome.

The other late scratching did ruffle a few punters’ feathers, with the favourite in race 5, Rhooky, losing a shoe leaving the mounting yard and receiving a puncture wound. The Symon Wilde-trained gelding was scratched on veterinary advice and will need clearance before racing again.

Results

Many of Peter Hibberd’s selections appeared in the winners’ circle, with results of the full program as follows:

The first race of the day was the Pacific Fuel Solutions Maiden Plate over 1000 metres. Habenaria, from the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable and ridden by Jett Stanley in the first of his double on the day, came out fast from the middle, taking a leading position early on. It took the lead along the staight for a commanding win of three and a half lengths to Tatakai Uta, ridden by Jarrod Fry for Mitchell Freedman. Half a length back in third came Havana Moon, with Above Me claiming fourth place.

The second race was a 3y.o. Maiden Plate over 1350 metres sponsored by Russ Studio Jewellers. It was the first of Harry Coffey’s double, riding Neziha for Ben, Will and JD Hayes. Neziha came out from the gates fairly quickly, gaining the leading position early, and holding on for a win of two lengths. In second place came the Dwyer-trained Baltic Blizzard, ridden by Declan Bates, closely followed by Mongolian Spring, with half a head margin between these two placings.

The Donald Steel Metaland 4y.o.+ Maiden Plate over 1350 metres was Harry’s second win for the day on Black Eyed Blonde for trainer Wendy Kelly. After finding some room along the straight, Harry found a run on the inside of the track for another two-length win. The other placegetters were closely bunched at the post with John Allen riding Adamana into second place, Impending Swan, third, and Bishop’s Choice, fourth, with a head margin between them.

Race four was sponsored by Michaels of Donald, the 4y.o.+ Maiden Plate over 1350 metres, and was another win for punters with two lengths to the favourite, Thinking Sensation, ridden by Eoin Walsh for Matt Cumani, after leading the pack from start to finish. In second place, Moral Turpitude, ridden by Rhys McLeod, with Petroula and Sea Danger taking third and fourth respectively.

The fifth was the Mackay’s Family Jewellers Maiden Plate over 1620 metres. After the late scratching of favourite runner, Rhooky, betting attention turned towards I’llbethere, trained by Patrick and Michelle Payne and ridden by Will Gordon, which found a great spot in the pack early on. Settling in three back, it found a gap with 200 metres to go and won by less than a length. Watt On Earth took second place, ridden by Cian MacRedmond, a head in front of Cosmic in third, and a length behind that in fourth was Rhinestone Rory. 

More on Harry’s big day

The Donald Motor Lodge BM56 Handicap over 1620m, race six, was won by Ballon D’or ridden by Jade Smith for Charles Cassar. The winner took leading position early on the distance race, fighting off challengers along the straight to take the win by half a length from Harry Coffey on Blazing Guru. Five lengths back came the favourite, Kiss My Rock in third position with Jotopeli in fourth.

Race seven provided jockey Jett Stanley with his second win for the day in the Goldacres BM56 Handicap over 1000 metres. Riding Elena Montero to victory for Jody Thompson, Jett took the front position early and held on over the 1000 metre distance to win to Fugacity, ridden by Neil Farley in second place. In third place, the favourite, Damas, with fourth going to El Salto. It was roughly a head margin separating each of the placegetters.

The penultimate race, the bet365 Bet Boost BM56 Handicap over 1200 metres was won by the Brian and Ashley McKnight-trained Turn Up The Night, ridden by Christine Puls. After a good start from the gates and a good run on the straight it held on to win narrowly over the Jordy Coffey-trained Olivia’s Scandal. In third place was Hi Tiago, with Youmee Wonder in fourth. Margins were approximately half a length between each placegetter.

The final race of the day, the Weirs IGA Donald BM56 Handicap over 1350 metres, sported another close finish between runners. After a fast start, and a good run along the outside of the straight, Asawin, provided Will Gordon’s double, riding for trainer Archie Alexander, he took the win from Where’s Poppy, ridden by John Allen. Third place was a dead heat between Chilli Reaper and Machengo, with a head and neck margin distance between each of the other placegetters.

Taking a break

The Donald and District Racing Club will take a break now for the holiday season and to wait out the severity of summer before racing returns next year, on May 2, for the running of the Weir’s IGA Classic. In the meantime, pay attention to Harry Coffey’s race card at Ballarat tomorow (Saturday), where his thousand-win milestone is likely to be marked. 

See all the pictures from the event in the issue.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 5 December 2025.