Avoca Festive Season Races, 2014

Saturday December 6th saw the last Avoca race meeting for 2014.

Nestled away in the Pyrenees Ranges and 180 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, Avoca provides a nice setting for a day at the country races. One point of contention though; the December 2013 Avoca race meeting was a TAB meeting, but not the case this year. Please explain.

A six race card in fine, though windy conditions, presented to punters. The first race – a maiden with five runners, saw veteran jockey Kevin Forrester salute on Well Being. Kevin has been in top form recently winning the Ararat and Ballarat Cups. This was his only winner on Saturday, though his other ride on the day produced a second placing.

Riding honours on the day were shared with six different jockeys riding the six winners. However,  I will give a plug for Nikita Berriman who had five rides, which included a win and three seconds. Nikita saluted in race four on Dayton. Over the last few years she has been the best performed jockey at Avoca, with a good strike rate including an Avoca Cup. Her sister Jackie has also ridden at Avoca, though it’s a while since the two sisters have ridden on the same card.

One interesting jockey was Paul Hamblin, best known for his form over the jumps. He had one ride – on the unplaced Coffee in race four. I can’t recall the last time Paul had a ride on the flat.

A gold star to Ann  Taylor who chose to bet on the number four throughout the card. Ann finished the day in front with the number fours saluting in races two and three; Remount and Saratonga Song, both being greys. Ann also had a place collect on Turkoglou, ridden by Nikita Berriman in the fifth.  Ann had a far better day than yours truly who couldn’t take a trick.  On this day last year, the TAB meeting, I made a few dollars profit, but that was last year.  As they say, it’s a mugs game.

Anzac Day 2015 is the next time they race at Avoca. Happy punting, and of course, have a happy festive season, punters.

Glen!

Comments

  1. Good one Glen. It’s on the bucket list. Crios Meeting was abandoned-so did you get wet?
    Bowls are still on so I’m hamstrung for racing at present

  2. Avoca is a wonderful meeting and a great town…you have to make a weekend of it.
    Rain wrecked many meetings last weekend which should ensure big noms for Healesville picnics on Saturday (finding enough hoops might be the issue).
    No comment on Beriman issues pls!

  3. Re the picnic circuits, i notice the Brian Cox trained, 10 year old, He’s An Angel, has just returned, running in 2 TAB races. He had a stellar run over the 2013-14 picnic season, so i can suggeat he’s a horse to keep an eye on.

    Happy Punting,

    Glen!

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