Recently of one of the biggest race meetings on the Gippsland calendar, the $130,000 Moe Cup, was won in emphatic style by the Cindy Alderson-trained Howlin’ Rain.
Around 2000 people were on course to see the $2 favourite lead from start to finish in the 2050m race, under the guidance of outstanding Cranbourne-based apprentice Logan Bates, who continues to rack up the winners.
The favourite had nearly three lengths to spare on the line, with the Freedman Racing trained Star Vega ($3.90) finishing second and Ghetto Superstar ($5) third.
It was the six-year-old geldings sixth win from 23 starts, taking his stakes to $334,000.
Training and riding honours for the program went to former Moe trainer Peter Gelagots, who now trains at Pakenham, and hoop, Craig Newitt.
They won with impressive first starter, Freshen ($7.50), who is part owned by AFL star, Bayley Fritsch, who was on track to watch.
The team also teamed up to win with promising stayer House of Lords ($2.60).
There were plenty of happy people on track, none happier than trainer Tim Eurell and apprentice jockey, Bree Temple.
Eurell, the son of Cox Plate-winning trainer, Greg, finally prepared his first winner when Taxing ($10) saluted with Tom Stockdale in the saddle in a mile maiden, Eurell’s 19th runner since beginning training in April.
Temple, who is indentured to Pakenham trainer, John Sadler, piloted her first winner at her seventh attempt when Remember Poppy was victorious for Pakenham trainer Belinda Dunn at the nice odds of $13.
All the racing attention will be focused this week on Cranbourne where the
$500,000 cup (1600 metres) and $1,000,000 meteorite (1200 metres) will be run on Saturday.
