Thank you from the racecourse

Grateful Perth Racecourse chief executive Hazel Peplinski thanked fans and staff for their support as the season ended in style last week.

The Scone track has battled hard against challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic across the past year and a half.

And Peplinski was quick to show her appreciation to all who helped along the way as the popular two-day Glorious Finale brought Perth’s 2021 season to a close on Wednesday and Thursday.

The sign for the next meeting now reads Perth Festival, April 20-22, 2022.

Peplinski said:“What a fantastic final day of racing for this year, with a great crowd including so many well-kent faces enjoying the racing on beautiful ground.

“We’re so very grateful for the support of all racegoers today and since crowds have been allowed back.

“I must also pay tribute to my team for all the hard work throughout a challenging year. To everyone who has supported Perth Racecourse this year – thank you.”

On Thursday’s final day of action, Minella Trump extended his unbeaten course record to four when storming home in the feature race.

Ridden by Brian Hughes and trained by Donald McCain, he was sent off on a well-backed 15/8 favourite before slamming Pay The Piper by three lengths in the Remembering Tim Hardie Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

Hughes, who was once more crowned leading jockey at the Scone track, said: “He’s had a good spring and summer here with three wins over fences and one over hurdles.

“He’s won at two-and-a-half and three miles and I would expect he would maybe avoid the deep mid-winter ground when the rains come.”

The opening race saw Super Six and It’s Good To Laugh share the spoils as they dead-heated for division one of the MKM Building Supplies Perth Novices’Hurdle.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Super Six, said:“I thought we’d got back up to win outright but I’ll settle for a dead-heat. It was a good effort on his hurdle debut and he’s sure to improve as a result.”