HORSERACING

By LIAM DURKIN

 

MOE Racing Club hosted a nine card meeting last Friday.

Patrons braved muggy conditions for the annual Christmas meeting, although the overall viewing experience was pleasant given the number of indoor facilities on offer.

With the meeting coinciding with a number of work break-ups, people took the opportunity to unwind following an early knockoff.

Fact: Representing Moe’s greatest neighbourhood are Selena and Evan Sheekey – reigning premiership president of Yallourn Yallourn Nth FNC. Photograph: Liam Durkin

Live music, food trucks and Test cricket on the big screen complemented racing action.

The meeting started on a track rated a Good 4, which became a Good 3 four races in.

Moe continues to be a place high profile trainers want to bring horses. Last Friday saw this year’s Caulfield Cup winning trainer Ciaron Maher claim victory in the ‘The 58’ January 26 Maiden Plate over 1600 metres.

Maher’s four-year-old mare Steel Impact blitzed the competition, winning by three-and-a-half lengths.

The competition was especially noteworthy, as the horse that came second – Savamoon – was trained by none other than Peter Moody.

Dynamic duo: Yarragon’s Amanda Waller and Trafalgar’s Leah Templeton put their feet up at the Moe races. Photograph: Liam Durkin

Maher also had a second in the Race 5 Ladbrokes Mates Mode Pots Maiden Plate (2050m) with three-year-old filly Harsh. Four-year-old mare Ghamme saluted however on the inside.

Moe Cup winning trainer from 2022, John Leek Jr’s mare Adrett came third in the Race 9 Insuraplex Handicap (1500m), won by six-year-old gelding Estrapaz.

More locally, Sale trainer Sharyn Trolove’s Not Enough Effort crossed first in the Race 7 Bidfood BM58 Handicap (1000m).

The nine-year-old had been in reasonable form, running fifth in three consecutive races since winning last September.

Tunes: Wacky Creative kept the entertainment coming. Photograph: Liam Durkin

The Race 7 was a mostly local affair, with Arroance for Sale racing legend Reg Manning very nearly causing a boilover, defying its $26.00 starting price to run second by less than half-a-length.

Not far behind was the Logan McGill-trained Innocent Enuff. McGill has training bases in the two great towns of Moe and Mornington.

Latrobe Valley trainers unfortunately didn’t have much more to ride home about, although Shooter Mcgavin came third in the Race 8 Ian Grant’s Caravans BM58 Handicap (1200m) for the Moe stable headed by Paul and Tracey Templeton.

Times: Newborough’s Tony Slayford, Di Slayford, Drouin’s Peter Cafarella and Pauline Luchetta and Brian Milkins (Newborough) enjoying Moe’s Christmas meeting. Photograph: Liam Durkin

Much like in 1996, it wasn’t to be “Shooter’s tournament”, as the four-year-old gelding fell short at the line, trailing Bahama Bay and Shyleah by little more than a length.

Sale’s Andrew Perdon also had a place in the Race 6 UNIBIN BM58 Handicap (2400m), although his five-year-old gelding What A Journey was some distance (1.75 lengths) behind winner Real Intrigue.

Other winners across the meeting were: Naughty Bennie (Race 1 Paulls Carpet Choice 3YO Maiden Plate, 1200m), Andiamo Rosso (Race 2 Yarragon Bakery 4YO+ Maiden Plate, 1200m) and Mixxit (Race 3 Purcell Painting Maiden Plate, 1600m).

Victory: Naughty Bennie and jockey Adam McCabe return to the mounting yard after winning the Race 1 at Moe Racing Club last Friday. Photograph: Liam Durkin

Moe’s next and last meeting for 2024 will be next Tuesday (December 17).

Moe Racing Club currently has a special offer for young members.

Young members who refer a friend can enjoy a $20 point redemption when they join, with almost identical benefits to full racing membership.

Trio: Locals Cooper Walsh, Simone Clymo and Chantelle relax on the lawn at Moe Racing Club. Photograph: Liam Durkin

Those interested in learning more are encouraged to check out the club’s socials, or email enquiries@moeracingclub.com.au