Betvictor Perth Festival off to a flyer
Perth Racecourse’s 2023 season got off to a flyer with the Betvictor Perth Festival on Wednesday.
At 11.30am the gates opened for the first time this year, paving the way for three consecutive afternoons of competitive jump racing in front of thousands of racing fans.
The first race ‘The Congratulations Corach Rambler Grand National 2023 Maiden Hurdle’ delighted punters.
Corach Rambler’s Kinrossbased trainer Lucinda Russell was in attendance with one of her other horses Corrigeen Rock, winning the Phil Nelson Capercaillie Handicap Chase.
Giovinco was an impressive winner of the Listed £23,000 British EBF Betvictor Gold Castle ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle for Lucinda Russell and Stephen Mulqueen at the Betvictor Perth Festival.
After the 12-length demolition job the winning jockey said: “He’s travelled so strongly and picked up really well without me barely having to ask a question.
“He was always going to be a horse for next season and what a prospect to look forward to.”
Venetia Williams-trained Pink Legend, the only ride of the day for Charlie Deutsch, made all to scoop the Listed £32,500 Betvictor Fair Maid Of Perth Mares’ Chase.
Deutsch said: “She’s a lovely mare and a home-bred too which is even better. It’s my first winner at Perth so it’s nice to have done it on such a good horse.”
Grey Skies, ridden by Brian
Hughes, came out on top in the Betvictor Balnakeilly Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase in one of the day’s other races.
Almost £300,000 of prize money was up for grabs across the curtain-raising Betvictor Perth Festival.
•PA photographer Richard Wilkins was on hand to capture all the action from day one.