HORSE RACING
By LIAM DURKIN
PERFECT spring weather presented the ideal backdrop for a subdued Tuesday meeting at Moe Racing Club last week.
Little fanfare surrounded the seven-card meeting – perhaps in keeping with how the best country racing club in the state operates.
That isn’t hyperbole, for Moe was recently named country racing club of the year by Country Racing Victoria.
They will officially hold the title for the next 12 months. They have it in the history books for all eternity.
The first race meeting as the newly crowned club of the year went into said books last Tuesday (September 8).
Jockey Dylan Dunn highlighted proceedings, completing a riding treble.
His day got off to a bright start, winning the first race, setting the tone for a memorable afternoon.
The Race 1 Moe Denture Clinic Maiden Plate over 1108 metres saw Dunn ride Shaadrille to a tight win by less than half-a-length. The three-year-old gelding edged out Jourama, who led at the 800m and 400m mark, giving trainer Gavin Bedggood a first-up success.
The meeting started on a Heavy 9, but was downgraded to a Heavy 8 the rest of the way home.
Dunn also won the Race 3 Butchers on George Maiden Plate (2069m) on board Jonquil for Brett Scott.
He completed the treble in the very next challenge, the Race 4 John Kerr Real Estate BM56 Handicap (2069m), winning on the inside with Tactfull for Rory Hunter.
“It’s always nice to come here and ride these sort of winners, gets your confidence up going into the rest of the week,” he told Racing.com.
“Send you an invoice for a co-host now,” reporter Olivia Kold joked as Dunn prepared to give his third post-race interview of the meeting.
In other races, Marron easily won the Race 2 Ladbrokes Hosted Pots Maiden Plate (1614m) for Enver Jusufovic.
Pakenham trainer Andrea Leek won the Race 5 K.I.S Comms & Cameras BM56 Handicap (1614m) with Bonnaroo, after a mad dash to the line saw no less than eight horses make up the photo finish frame.
The Nobles (trainer Steve and his daughter, jockey Samantha) won the Race 6 Ladbrokes Switch BM56 Handicap (1008m) with six-year-old mare Leantothemoon.
King West rounded out the meeting, cruising to victory in the Race 7 Select Office Supplies BM56 Handicap (1208m), giving Jusufovic a double.
Moe Racing Club’s next meeting will be held Thursday, September 24.
The club’s two major race days are fast approaching: the Latrobe Regional Health Cancer Fundraiser Day (Sunday, October 18) and the Moe Cup (Sunday, November 15).
