Mornington trainer John McArdle and heavyweight hoop, Jamie Mott, combined to win East Gippsland’s richest race, the listed $200,000 Sale Cup last Sunday, with El Rocko.
With the heavens opening, the talented seven-year-old relished the heavy conditions, leading all the way under the guile and skill of Mott at the odds of $2.90.
Popular hoop, Jamie Melham, had favourite Cartoon Graveyard ($2.80) well positioned for ultimate glory but was unable to pick up the bold front-running leader in the run home.
Former Irish galloper, Cote Atlantique ($3.20), finished third, ridden by Beau Mertens, whose father Peter dominated Gippsland racing for several decades in a long and successful career.
El Rocko is now a winner of nine races, five partnered by Mott, for impressive life-time earnings of $827,150.
Riding honours for the program went to senior riders Ben Melham and Luke Currie, with doubles, while all nine races winners were trained by different horseman.
Ben Melham saluted in the first two races on impressive maiden winners Chokuto (Chris Waller) and Whiskey Joe (Mick Price and Michael Kent).
Currie guided home Genrichero (Matt Laurie) and Acelum (Ben, Will and JD Hayes).
Interestingly Waller and Laurie provided the first three horses home the day prior in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley, one of the country’s most high profile races, the event described as ‘the best two minutes in sport’.
Despite 20 millimetres of rain falling in the region last Sunday, the meeting was still well attended, people coming out in their finery for a great day out.
Although the halcyon days of marquees most of the way up the straight and cars still parked in “Farrugia’s Paddock” on a Wednesday appear long gone, spring racing is well and truly alive, with Derby Day (Traralgon) and Melbourne Cup (Bairnsdale) further opportunities for racegoers to be part of the action trackside.
