Garland delight for Riverton Cup winner
South African-born jockey Tanya Jonker fulfilled a long-held ambition in the Riverton Cup on Saturday.
She has had her heart set on winning a feature race in which a garland of flowers is placed around the successful horse’s neck.
‘‘It’s been a goal of mine to win the flowers,’’ Jonker, 29, said.
She achieved it on outsider Lil Miss Swiss in a gripping finish with favourite Orepuki Lad, who looked the winner until the last few strides.
‘‘I thought I had run second,’’ Jonker said. ‘‘When I was called in first, I was speechless.’’
Owner Kelvin Tyler and his daughter Aimee train Lil Miss Swiss at the Riverton racecourse.
‘‘It’s a big thrill,’’ Kelvin said. ‘‘We and our staff put in a lot of hours, and today is one of those moments that luck came our way.’’
The Tylers’ other three starters in the cup were Kilowatt (third), Timy Tyler (sixth) and Tilly Dunnage (10th). Rivertontrained horses were the first three home.
On-course betting totalled $185,000, compared to the $140,000 wagered on track at the Auckland Racing Club’s premier meeting on Saturday.
Riverton Racing Club president Barry Leith said Riverton’s on-course betting being higher than Auckland’s sent a clear message to New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing that the track shouldn’t close in 2024.
He thought at least 4000 people were on course at Riverton. ‘‘The car park was chocker. ‘‘Cars kept rolling in to midway through the meeting, it was quite amazing.’’
Leith said the large crowd proved the club had support and many of them were helping the RRC to fight off the track closure threat.
Virginia Pile won Fashion in the Field on Saturday, Jasmine Kubala finished second and Susan Kortright was third.