The Bairnsdale Racing Club attracted a healthy midweek crowd to last Friday’s popular Tradies Day meeting, with fine weather and competitive local racing setting the tone for a stellar afternoon.
Bairnsdale Racing Club manager Scott Ingram was delighted with the turnout and the atmosphere at the track.
“It was great to be back racing and attract a great midweek crowd, who enjoyed a good day’s racing,” Mr Ingram said.
Gippsland-based jockey Jason Maskiell took riding honours for the meeting, boots home a clinical double. Maskiell tasted success aboard Headstock ($15) for Pakenham trainer Carly Thomas, before doubling his tally on Nikephoros ($6) for Cranbourne trainer David Noonan.
The most popular victory of the program belonged to Irresistible Sir ($6), prepared by popular Sale trainer Reg Manning. The gelding was given a superb ride by apprentice jockey Caitlin Hollowood, who previously rode
trackwork at the Sale racecourse.
There were emotional scenes and plenty of tears when Pakenham trainer Dianne Clover’s nine-year-old veteran, Little Richie Turf ($31), defied his long odds to break through for his 10th career win. The victory pushed the gelding’s career prizemoney
past the $200,000 milestone, aided by a fine ride from former Western Australian jockey Melea Castle.
The day’s staying event went to the aptly named mare Winter Grace ($5.50), securing the prize for the Cranbourne trainer-jockey combination of Peter Foster and apprentice Bailey Kinninmont.
In the maiden events, Neotropical ($2.50) and Can’t Be Reel ($1.40) produced highly impressive performances for Mornington trainers John McArdle and Matt Laurie respectively. Jockey Olivia East perfectly controlled the tempo from the front aboard Neotropical, while Dylan Dunn lifted Can’t Be Reel late in a powerful finish to grab the cash.
Bairnsdale will host its next race meeting on Monday, July 13.
