Raced Collarenebri - September 14
Dubbo trainer Clint Lundholm and stable apprentice Zoe Hunt combined for a winning double including the Cup with Tupou, at the first meeting held at Collarenebri since 2018.
Drought, Covid and wet weather caused the years of cancellations yet the Collarenebri committee was able to respond with an outstanding meeting on Saturday.
Winner of the Cups at Bedgerabong and Tottenham last campaign, Tupou at the fourth run back from a spell returned to form in the 1400 metres B & W Collarenebri Cup in which Peak Road from the stables of popular local trainer Kelly Smith started the $2.80 favourite.
Taking the early lead, Tupou (Zoe Hunt, $6) was challenged on the home turn but kicked on strongly to score by over a length from Peak Road (Shayleigh Ingelse) with Toulon Factor (Shannen Llewellyn, $3.40) a half-length away third.
Earlier, the Clint Lundholm trained My Oddette (Zoe Hunt, $3.80) overhauled the leader close to home to beat Cumboogle (Hannah Johnton, $3 favourite) by a long head with Loud (Williams Stanley, $6) third in the 1000 metres Willis Family Benchmark 50 Handicap.
A winning double also for Armidale trainer Jane Clement and Dubbo apprentice Shannen Llewellyn with Sippity Sip and Hardyo.
Sippity Sip ($4.60) led throughout for a runaway win over Bupkis (Zoe Hunt, $4.40) and Mr Scorefield (Kody Nestor, $11) in the 1200 metres Moree and Walgett Business Houses Benchmark 45 Handicap.
Hardyo ($2.80 equal fav.) tracked the leader in the 1600 metres Benchmark 50 Handicap Woodhams before scoring by two lengths from Jade Division (Will Stanley, $2.80 eq.fav.) and Lady Cornelia (Shayleigh Ingelse, $3.50).
Winner of more than 600 races, Kody Nestor who had not ridden since Coffs Harbour in July 2023, won the 1200 metres Jack Meaney Memorial Maiden Plate on The Answer Man at Collarenebri.
Giving the trainer Shane Saunders from Warwick in Queensland a winner with his first starter, the previously unraced The Answer Man ($2 favourite) led all the way to beat Bullish Dragon (Williams Stanley, $3) and Yuruga Girl (Zoe Hunter, $4).
Racing kicked off with the 800 metres Collarenebri Business Houses and Tatts Hotel Motel Maiden Plate won by the Brett Thompson, Gulgong trained Tropicana’s Cube.
Ridden by apprentice Will Stanley, Tropicana’s Cube ($2 favourite) with the lead from the outset, won by a half-length from the Kelly Smith trained Volcanic Gold (Shayleigh Ingelse, $5.50) with Tiny Missile (Zo Hunt, $6) a handy third.
