In keeping with the recent pattern of winners coming from everywhere, a local double saw two horses win from opposite sides of the track at Hawkesbury on Monday. But together they produced a double for Hawkesbury trainers on their home track and in the process emerged as a pair of promise. With Sydney's fickle Autumn weather playing havoc with metropolitan track preparations, it was a credit again to Course manager Jeff Haynes to produce a track upgraded to Good(3) early in the day.
Garry Frazer produced first starter Identic, carrying the Spright colours, for an impressive debut success and later former top jockey turned trainer, Mitch Newman, unearthed another three-year-old who was no less impressive at his first serious middle-distance attempt.
Identic ($3.60 favorite) led home a local domination of the Priestley’s Gourmet Delights Provincial & Country Maiden Handicap (1100m). Ridden by Corey Brown, who never relinquished the inside running on her, she established a winning break on straightening. In a race restricted to provincial and country trained horses, the locals dominated. The first seven horses home carried the Hawkesbury banner, and Frazer was understandably delighted to see his filly post an immediate success. Not before though he had some concerns when she got “fairly wound up” in the enclosure before going on to the track.
Unlike Identic, Casino Prince three-year-old Garbhan never saw the inside rail, being forced to race wide throughout in the Pacific West Foods Aust Benchmark 65 Handicap (2000m). In form jockey Josh Parr brought Garbhan down the centre of the track on straightening and left his opposition with no excuses. Relishing the 2000m, he surged home to beat Forreel and favourite Tumultuous. This was only Garbhan’s seventh start, and second win on his home track, following his maiden win in January and clearly has a bright future over ground.
Parr’s success on Garbhan clinched him a double, having scored two races earlier on favourite Lady Sansa. Last season’s Hawkesbury premiership winner Gerald Ryan took the training honours – also with a double – preparing favourite Gothenburg and Aviator.
PINK TIE BALL
In a stunning transformation of the betting ring, the club last Saturday night played host again to the second annual Pink Tie Ball for breast cancer charity, Pink Finns, held under the canopy of the betting ring and surrounds.
It was an overwhelming success on a beautiful Autumn night and congratulations to the hard working Committee of young ladies who assist those families who lives are affected with a diagnosis of breast cancer. This event could not have been possible without the support of the local community, who have ensured it will be a highlight on the Hawkesbury social calendar, whilst generously supporting such a worthy cause. It was all hands on deck at the club to turn the venue around for race day and a few streamers still hanging from the rafters didn't deter the hardy punters who attended the track on Monday!
