Dylan Arvela
Moe Racing Club’s Local Cups and Community Race Day was held under ominous skies yesterday.
The grey clouds and wild wind were in unfortunate factor which prevented a bigger crowd coming through the gates to support Yellow Day, an MRC initiative to raise money for the Country Fire Authority.
Those, young and old, who did make it trackside got amongst the rides and activities with many sporting CFA hats and shirts with funds raised from the merchandise sales going directly to the volunteer organisation.
On the Soft 5 track, there was a seven-race meeting run with six local cups up for grabs.
The first was the Monacellars Yarragon Cup Maiden Plate (1100m) which was Race 2 with Ping Ping ($3.50) securing his maiden win.
The gelding was trained and ridden by Sally Wynne with the victory coming a month on from half-sister Ling Ling winning at Cranbourne.
Ping Ping finished a length ahead of He’s The Real Deel ($4.40) with Moe-trained Magic Kappy ($21) filling out the minors for the first time in her career.
The shortest priced winner of the day took out the Old Sale Road Vet Newborough Cup F&M Maiden Plate (1600m) with Sublime Miss ($1.70) from the powerful Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s Caulfield stable saluting.
Sally Wynne narrowly missed out on a double, finishing just under two lengths back on New Belle ($13) with Realism ($3.30) running in third.
Charlie Gafa’s Hot Canford ($201) finished 13 lengths off the leader but not before poking her head in front as the race neared the final turn.
The biggest upset of the day came in the John Kerr Real Estate Trafalgar Cup BM58 Handicap (2400m) with Darken Up ($26) beating Monmouth ($10) and Dargo ($3.40) by more than a length).
Darken Up is trained by Wayne Walters in Sale with his daughter
Kate riding the seven-year-old to victory in Moe.
Catherine Martindale’s Launch Time ($151) never challenged, finishing more than 20 lengths behind the winner.
The LV Drafting Yallourn North Cup Grand Handicap Sprint Race 1 (1200m) was easier to pick with Maritana ($3.70) coming out on top.
The four-year-old won the race in a photo finish, edging out Our Foxwedge ($11).
Peter Gelagotis-trained Strong Influence ($6) ran on bravely to finish third after he was nudged by Zaidin ($2.80) as they headed into the straight.
The penultimate race was the Morwell Bowling Club Morwell Cup BM58 Handicap (1600m) which was close to a non-contest with favourite Red Light Roxanne ($3.80) winning be nearly three lengths from Yatta Izu ($6.50).
Darryl Blackshaw’s Hazard Ahead ($21) finished five-and-a-half lengths off Red Light Rozanne in the gelding’s first race of 2020.
The meeting finished with Young Harry Cool ($4.60) winning the ‘Ladbrokes Cash In’ Warragul Cup BM58 Handicap (1100m) in fine fashion.
Jockey Brad Rawiller guided the four-year-old to finish a length clear of Dratini ($3.20) with Rich and Rare ($3.20) a further two lengths back.
Fourth past the post was Moe-based Dominant Gene ($21).
LOCAL CUP WINNERS
Yarragon Cup: Ping Ping ($3.50)
Newborough Cup: Sublime Miss ($1.70)
Trafalgar Cup: Darken Up ($26)
Yallourn North Cup: Maritana ($3.60)
Morwell Cup: Red Light Roxanne ($3.80)
Warragul Cup: Young Harry Cool ($4.60)
