RACING
By LIAM DURKIN
YESTERDAYS scheduled race meeting at Cranbourne was moved to Moe Racing Club after Racing Victoria stewards deemed a wet patch between the 650 and 500 metre-mark at Cranbourne unsafe.
Understandably, there was scratchings galore after the announcement was made, with a total of 32 horses across eight races taken from form guides.
That being said, the meeting still saw an eight-race card go ahead with some prominent jockeys on display, including Melbourne Cup winners Craig Williams and Damien Oliver.
Just four horses made up the race one 3YO Maiden Plate, which was won by Sandy Prince ridden by Williams over 1200m.
Another 1200m Maiden Plate took place in race two, as Ski Zoom won for trainer Donna Mott and jockey Jamie Mott.
The race three Maiden Plate saw The Awesome Son salute, followed by Secret Palace ridden by another Melbourne Cup winner in Jye McNeil.
The success was the first of a double for the 2020 Melbourne Cup-winning hoop.
McNeil lifted Zimowy to success in a 1200m Benchmark 70 Handicap (1200m) later in the program for Cranbourne-based training partners Ken and Kasey Keys.
“Only had the two rides, a great result,” he told Racing.com.
“We jumped well, didn’t have enough speed to lead so I let them go, and got the run up the rail just before the bend.
“I thought she fought on really gamely.”
Trafalgar-based jockey Jason Maskiell was back in action following his fall on Darwin Cup day earlier in the week on board Rolling Moss in race six.
As per strict COVID restrictions, Moe Racing Club was off limits to all persons deemed non-essential.
A sprinkling of spectators still wanting to get their racing fix were spotted watching from their cars in neighbouring Apex Park, while The Express was forced to take photos by holding a camera up over the tall fence along the straight.
As a result of the transfer, the meeting
scheduled for Moe this Saturday has been moved to Bairnsdale.
Moe trainer Peter Gelagotis enjoyed success in the final race of the program with Adonis Kick taking out the TAB Benchmark 64 Handicap (2050m).
The promising four-year-old missed out on a start at Moonee Valley on Saturday, but took his chance with aplomb thanks to a smart ride from jockey Craig Newitt.
Adonis Kick ($8.50) held off the well-supported Eaglemont ($3.30fav) by a length and a half to seal the second win of his 10-start career.
Other winners on the program were Deelbraka, who returned to his best form by saluting in a 1600m Benchmark 70 Handicap (1600m).
The David and Coral Feek trained son of Dundeel stuck his lip out in a tight finish to deny the favourite Facemask and Milliondollarbill.
Black Beau Tie came ready for the occasion, winning the De Bortoli Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m).
The six-year-old, ridden by apprentice jockey Tayla Childs, produced a smart performance to score in a photo finish from the consistent Locko.
