HORSE RACING

By LIAM DURKIN

 

 

MOE trainer Peter Gelagotis placed at the Sale Cup last Sunday.

His four-year-old gelding Wetumpka came second in the Race 8 Turnbull Toyota BM70 Handicap – MCC Series Heat 7 over 1400 metres.

The horse’s name was somewhat fitting, given the conditions that greeted racegoers at Sale Turf Club.

Heavy rain had threatened an abandonment, however the scheduled nine-card meeting went ahead, with racing held on a Heavy 10.

With jockey Ben Allen in the saddle, Wetumpka was beaten on the inside by the John Moloney-trained Kahhof.

Up close: This year’s Melbourne Cup trophy on display at Moe Racing Club.
Photographs: Liam Durkin

Wetumpka jumped reasonably well, but settled down fourth and followed the winner half-a-length home.

Six-year-old gelding Makdane won the flagship race, the Ladbrokes Sale Cup (1600m) for Michael Kent, with his namesake Michael Dee, on board.

Traralgon jockey Thomas Stockdale rode in the cup, steering Ten Commandments for one of the country’s biggest trainers, Ciaron Maher.

The Sale Cup capped off a huge weekend of racing, following Saturday’s historic Cox Plate.

The event was held at Flemington, as redevelopment works forced the meeting away from Moonee Valley.

A number of local pundits took the opportunity to attend, figuring it was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a Cox Plate at Flemington.

Grip: Latrobe City Mayor, Sharon Gibson and Moe Ward councillor Adele Pugsley holding this year’s Melbourne Cup.

All eyes will be on Flemington for the Melbourne Cup this Tuesday.

The Melbourne Cup trophy was on display at Moe Racing Club’s most recent meeting a fortnight ago.

Moe is the next Gippsland cup on the calendar. This year’s Moe Cup will be held Sunday, November 15.

Everywhere you drive, it seems you will come across a sign reminding you of that very fact.

Latrobe Valley Racing Club (Traralgon) has its Derby Day meeting this Saturday (October 31).