Sport
1 December, 2023
Cowra Jockey Club honours long-time committee member and veterinary surgeon
Cowra raced Saturday, November 25
hose who sponsored the race and attended a trackside reunion at Cowra on Saturday, November 25 were in high spirits when their former classmate Mathew Cahill won the St Raphael’s Class Of 83 Handicap on Hez Golden.
Remaining friends over the 40 years since theirschooldays, the group were in full cry when Mathew Cahill and the Gary Nickson, Warwick Farm-trained Hez Golden entered the home straight witha good lead. Both the lead and the cheering increased as Hez Golden ($2.30 favourite) cleared out to win the950 metres Class One Handicap by over six lengths from Gunnerside (Dylan Stanley, $6) andSauce Dragon (Andrew Banks, $6).
Cowra had not raced for well over 12 months due to the devastating flood which caused huge damage to the racecourse last spring, and it was pleasing to see Cowra Jockey Club back hosting a successful meeting. Appropriately, a local galloper, trainer and jockey won the opening event, the 950 metres Fleming’s Real Estate Cowra Class One Handicap.
Ridden by Mathew Cahill, the Barry Wall trained Yael’s Delight ($3) led throughout to scoreby almost two lengths from Morezmo (Pierre Boudvillain, $1.80 favourite) and Her Call (Nyssa Burrell,$13). Bathurst trainer Roy McCabe continued a successful start to the season when Bayeaux (Tony Cavallo, $1.80) had a charmed run behind the leaders before beating Sallista (Andrew Banks, $2.60) and Sogeri (Pierre Boudvillain, $3.50) in the 1100 metres AJP Contracting Maiden Plate.
The well-named Stockholm was a runaway winner of the 1375 metres Cowra Dental - Tooth HurtyMaiden Plate for Dubbo trainer Clint Lundholm. Stockholm was produced by the mare Abba, named after the famous Swedish pop group.
Taking the lead soon after the start, Stockholm (Ronald Simpson, $1.60 fav.) cruised home over six lengths clear of Ten Feathers (Pierre Boudvillain, $5) with another six plus lengths to the third placed Hurling (Clayton Gallagher, $6).
Relishing the heavy track, the Garry Lunn, Dubbo trained Jarmanagic (Zoe Hunt, $3.50) returned to form when coming from fourth to beat Captain Corelli (Pierre Boudvillain, $5) and Serene Shadow (Ronald Simpson, $2.50 fav.) in the 1100 metres Reilly Daley’s 10 years at Cowra Motors Benchmark 50 Handicap.
After 51 years’ service as a committee member and veterinary surgeon for Cowra Jockey Club,David Payton, officiated for the final time on Saturday at Cowra. In recognition of this remarkableachievement the last race was named the David Payton Retires - Benchmark 50 Handicap and run over 1700 metres.
Jin Chi Phantom took the lead from Go Ellie Go approaching the home turn withZounile and Little Complicated in prominent positions. Producing a strong run down the outsidefrom midfield, the Kylie Kennedy, Narromine-trained Ready Made Doll (Clayton Gallagher, $8)won by three lengths from Broo Boss (Nyssa Burrell, $12) which came from near last while Zounile (Zoe Hunt, $2.80 fav.) battled on for third.
