Yea. It’s Cup Day !

November is right in the middle of the spring carnival. The East Coast of Australia, especially Victoria,  has lots of races, and even more races. It’s a wonderful time for those who love a flutter, or just a pleasant day out. November sees the first race meting of the picnic season for Yea. As members we’ve been looking forward to the day.

 

We drove up to Yea for the 2018 Cup meeting. Yea is a lovely track, with its beautiful mountainous back drop, well maintained facilities, especially the addition of shading over the sections of the racetrack has been a great addition.

 

A fine day’s racing kicked of with a 9 horse maiden in the first. The Grasshopper bounded to a good win in this giving Tim Grace his first win on the circuit.

 

In race 3 the Picnic race horse of the year, Howling Wolf ran, being the top wight. However with a 75 kilo weight, it faced an insurmountable challenge. The next was 70 kilo’s; with the bottom weight carrying only 64 kilos. When they talk about handicapping they’re not joking. Despite the best efforts of jockey Dani Walker, Howling Wolf, missed out on a place.The winner was Harvard Graduate, ridden by Courtney Pace, Victoria’s leading picnic rider. It carried 65.5 kilo.

 

On a less palatable note there was a bad fall in race 4. Caitlyn King, who’d had a wonderful 2017-18 picnic season, then spent time on the NSW picnic circuit, had a bad fall. The good news was from announcer informing the crowd she was conscious in the ambulance on the way to Northern Hospital, was a relief. It truly is a dangerous job being a jockey. In what other job does an ambulance follow you around every time you’re at work? Hope Caitlyn has a speedy recovery, being back on track soon.

 

The race of the day, the Yea Cup was race 5. Yours truly put his hard earned $ on number 3, Fold, ridden by Courtney Pace. Could Courtney win another cup? Not to be on this day, though Fold was in the money finishing second. Taking the trophy was the Goodwin family with Toss and Tell. Trained in Seymour by Barry Goodwin, ridden by son Reece, a fine win. The Goodwins are stalwarts on the picnic circuit. Rounding out the placings was Sommernachtstraum, runner up the previous two Yea Cups. A fine effort for an 11 year old horse.

 

We’ll be back to Yea again on December 15 for the time honored Sister Olive handicap. This 3000 metre race is a spectacular sight as the horses duel over 15 furlongs on this picturequesce track. Due yourselves a favour and come along for the day.

 

Speaking of horse racing my gee-gee is running in the last @ Tatura tomorrow, Tuesday 20/11. Placed in his last 2 starts, let’s hope he’s in the $ again.

 

Country Racing it’s a great day out!

 

Glen!

 

Comments

  1. Good morning Ed. I’m a part owner of Kapover. He’s trained in Corowa by Geoff Duryea.

    He was an acceptance for the mile race at Tatura, but is scratched.

    Not sure when/where he runs next. He’s been up since June so he must be getting close to a spell.

    Glen!

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