HORSE RACING
By LIAM DURKIN
MOE Racing Club likely had a quieter bar trade than usual for a race meeting at the weekend.
This was a good thing though.
It was all about the kids last Sunday, as the racing club opened its gates to families.
Moe Racing Club’s Kid Day Out meeting once again showed there is much more to a day at the races than drinking and gambling.
Drinking was certainly a requirement however – water of course – as temperatures got close to 30 degrees.
The on course ice cream van was certainly a popular destination, with the line only reduced once it was time to pack up.
If brain freezes weren’t your go, there was the option of cooling off at the water slide, or simply relaxing underneath the shade of an umbrella.
Families also brought their own tents and picnic rugs to pass the time between races every half hour.
Elsewhere, ball sports were played on the lawn, while parents took their kids to check out horses in the mounting yard.
A number of tennis balls were fetched off the track itself, kindly tossed back as impromptu games of cricket took place, clearly with no regard for the six and out rule.
Up on the Hillside Pavilion, Fancy Disco kept the good times going, belting out a few crowd favourites.
Kids were given showbags from Country Racing Victoria upon arrival, which included a drawstring bag, water bottle, skipping rope, horse socks and an inflatable horse stick.
With the meeting falling a day before Australia Day, visitors to the region took the chance to get their racing fix.
The Express spoke to travellers from as far north as Moama, and even international guests from The Netherlands.
Those who frequent country racing locally will attest to knowing just about every second person at any given meeting. Moe Racing Club officials would have surely been pleased then it was able to showcase the club to an array of guests.
Eight races were held on a track rated a Good 4, which was baked the previous day under a high-30s sun.
Trafalgar jockey Jason Maskiell celebrated his return from suspension in the best way possible, riding $61.00 outsider Tassadar to victory in the Race 2 Ace Earthmoving Maiden Plate over 2050 metres.
The four-year-old put in an incredible run to win on the inside by a head for trainer Aaron Laing.
The win completed a nice full circle moment for Maskiell, who previously rode for Laing’s father Rob.
“Laing family has been very good to me for many, many years and it’s nice to get a winner for him,” Maskiell told Racing.com.
A win seemed some way off after Tassadar reared at the gates, but Maskiell said he settled from there.
“To his credit once he got there he really switched off throughout the run, he stuck on nicely.”
Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Jye McNeil saluted in Race 7, taking Southern Crescent to an equally remarkable win in The 56 supported by Maccas Gippsland 1200m for Aaron Purcell.
Southern Crescent literally lifted its front leg to see it over the line millimetres before Prancing Queen. Such was the margin, usual eagle eye caller Adam Olszanski couldn’t split them.
The Ben Will and JD Hayes stable came third in the Uncommon Solar Maiden Plate (1600m), won by Positivo for Saab Tabilk.
Will Hayes plays football for Warragul, and they will be one of the most closely followed teams this Gippsland League season under the coaching of Gary Ayres.
Some regular winners featured in the remaining races.
The Race 1 Brandy Creek Estate Maiden Plate (2400m) was won by Brookers Turbo for Jody Thompson at Kilmore (coldest place on Earth).
Anthony Freeman had a winner in the Race 4 Morwell Bowling Club Maiden Plate (1100m) with Baked, while La Roux won for Phil Stokes in the Race 5 Langden Construction BM62 Handicap (1000m).
Mitch Freeman’s five-year-old mare Yoomee Wonder was too strong in the Race 6 Ladbrokes Hosted Pots Fillies and Mares BM62 Handicap (1200m), winning by a length.
The meeting was rounded out by Flag Flyer winning the Race 8 Butchers on George BM62 Handicap (1600m) for Greg Eurell.
With such positivity and great weather for the first race meeting of the calendar year, it is hoped this will set a great tone for 2026 at Moe.
Family spirit will be alive at the club’s next meeting – the Gippsland Community Day on Sunday, February 22.
