After the Last
THE WIN
NOTHING went right for MAGIC INK who proved reluctant to load and raced well back early in the Benchmark 55, but apprentice Sally Sweeney (pictured) had her where it mattered on the finishing line to complete a good first-up return for her trainer Rochelle Smith.
THE TRAINER
IT HAD been a long time between winning drinks for hobby thoroughbred trainer JULIE WEIDEMANN but lightly raced five-year-old Noble Billy ended her wait when he converted his promising early form into a decisive victory in the Maiden Handicap.
THE RIDER
RON GOLTZ is on the road back after spending an age out of the saddle on the injured list and on Saturday he was seen at his best helping Noble Billy deliver in the Maiden Handicap. Racing also welcomed popular jockey JIMMY ORMAN back for his second meeting on Saturday after his recovery from a serious back injury.
AFTER THE LAST
Race 1: There was specking for Onward To Victory at 7. The Bumblebee saw fair money at the 12. The winner Zoom By was backed pre-post at 6 and the on-course punters followed taking the 3.20 on early offering and backing to start at 2.20 before paying well unders on the tote.
Race 2: The early money was on Red Money at the 4.60. There was small money for Wear The Fox Hat at 8 and Piginarki had admirers at the 5. The winner Noble Billy was hard to lay at 4.60 and Ron Goltz became the bookies friend for once.
Race 3: The bookies went up 2.40 Imaginal the people and punters stepped in fast and the price tumbled with some good bets taken. There was one phone bet of $2000 at 2.20. There was specking for Poetic Dragon at 7. The winner in Magic Ink was hard to lay with small bets taken at 3.60.
Race 4: Mr Markou was backed for big money at 2.20 and was scratched at the barriers and the punters switched to the winner Sure Deal to see the price drop quickly to 2.20. Tote punters copped 1.60.
Race 5: This proved an open betting race with no real big bets taken. Karaharaga was a drifter and backed each way at 3.60. Mac’s Gal was backed at 8. Drum Master was a drifter and bookies were 12 with no takers . The winner Mia Host saw no money on track for a small result for the bookies.
Race 6: The Currie army was confident with Givus A Cuddle and lined up to take the 2. There was one phone bet of $3000 at 1.90. A touch more was very hard to lay and the bookies were 7 at jump time with no takers. The winner Benicos Prince saw no real money and the close photo put the bookies back on their feet.
Race 7: A good betting race to finish off with. I’ve Got Friends saw good money at 4 with one bet of $1500 each way at the 4. Visona Playboy must have lost a leg and was 2.60 to 5 with no bets taken. Wine Barrel was backed off course and the money came back to the track with a good phone bet of $1200 at the 5. The winner Malcriado shortened off course from 19 to 13 being the official fluctuations and oncourse bookies were spared, to see a good result to send the bookies home winners.