Under perfect winter skies, the Goondiwindi Race Club turned on a magnificent day for the Jeff Hannaford Inglewood Cup on Saturday.
Torbreck and the Geran stable added the Inglewood Cup to the list of victories the team is enjoying at Gunsynd Park.
It was the second leg of a winning double for the stable after Gertie Goer won the 1000 metre Benchmark 55 Handicap. Stable jockey Landan Sykes popped the temperamental mare just behind the leaders and when the gap appeared, she was far too strong and kept her unbeaten record at Gunsynd Park intact. Golden Groove and Easy Coming filled the minors.
Thea second was the maiden Handicap over 1200 meters and Currie-trained Detroit Girl was sent out a short price favourite and really you could not have put enough on her straightening for home but the two-year-old found the more experienced Quest of Quests too strong with experienced hoop, Adam Spinks, in the saddle. Detroit Girl did hang on for second while Missy’s Ready made up some ground for third. All runners where QTIS registered so the total bonus money went off on all placings.
The Jeff Hannaford Inglewood Cup was the feature event and while a small field, it panned out to be a torrid struggle between the Geran-trained Torbreck and the local hero Fitzroy Boy. Fitzroy Boy led as expected but a cunning ride by jockey Landan Sykes ensured the local horse did not get too easy of a lead and stalked the leader all the way. On the point of the turn, it was obvious Torbreck was going to have too much in hand but in true Fitzroy Boy spirit, he fought on gamely and only went down by a neck in the end. Once again, the big contingent of Fitzroy Boy connections turned up and showed what racing a horse in the bush can be like. Old timer Kappy Cino finished in third spot.
The Benchmark 50 race over 1400 metres saw a capacity field of 12 runners hit the gates. Martini Dancer was the short price favourite and looked set to collect the thick end of the prise until Warwick-trained Louvre Lil finished like a train under hard riding from Shannon Apthorpe to relegate Martini Dancer to second with Stryking Princess a dogged third after trying to lead all the way.
The 1800 metre race is always a great race and the Benchmark 60 Handicap was no exception. A very even field of runners took the field but, in the end, it was a Currie quinella and finally gave the girls and Leanne McCoy the winning edge. Idling By was favourite with stable mate Blavatsky not far behind in the betting and that is how they finished with Everynow’n Then taking third.
Next meeting at Gunsynd Park will be Saturday July 15 which is the first leg of the $10,000 bonus "Triple Crown Series" including the 1400 metre Boggabilla Cup at Gunsynd Park, the 1600 metre St George Cup a fortnight later and the 1600 metre Talwood Cup in August.
The Goondiwindi Race Club has prepared another draft of funding applications which will hopefully deliver the last leg of the outside running rail from the 800 metre mark to the home turn.