A fantastic day’s racing was had at Ceduna on Saturday, with Mick Whittle picking up a treble including the cup and Gary Hoobin riding a double including the cup winner.
The West Coast Sentinel’s tipping form is sadly lacking at the moment after another shocker on Saturday, but one thing is certain, future race day predictions couldn’t get any worse.
Congratulations must go to those that worked so hard in getting the track into good condition, and those operating the starters gate, as there were no hiccups in loading the horses on Saturday, despite the big fields.
Race 1 - Ceduna Meat Service / Ceduna Food and Milk / Bank SA Maiden Plate 1000 Metres
A large field of 11 faced the starter in the Maiden, and they jumped like seasoned campaigners.
Ben Hoppo on Jet Fusion must have some very clear instructions from local trainer Bushy Trenowden, as he leapt straight out of the outside alley and worked hard for the lead.
Wayne Kerford on Mumajet for Annette Morrison must have had similar instructions as he kept making sure the leader was putting in to stay in front as they came down the top of the track with a gap back to the others.
Mumajet appeared to head the leader into the straight, but the locals finally got one on the board when Jet Fusion surged away to win by a length from Mumajet with Sharyn Ratsch’s Pallaxy two lengths further back.
Race 2 - Ceduna Shelley Beach Caravan Park 0 – 58 Handicap 1000 Metres
Three horses barrelled out of the gates and harried for the lead coming down the 1000 metre chute, with Kylie Mckerlie’s Nellafreeze working to the lead from Northside Star for Tereza Kropej.
The Mick Whittle trained Outlook Express sat off this leading pack early but then made a sharp move mid race to work to the outside of the leader to make sure he didn’t it all his own way.
This tactic seemed to worry Nellafreeze out of the race, as he faded quite badly down the straight, leaving Northside Star to put pressure on Outlook Express into the straight but to no avail.
Outlook Express was strong and won by a length from Northside Star with the Mick White trained Master Pickles working home late for third five lengths from the winner.
Race 3 - Ceduna Highway One Truck Stop 0 – 72 Handicap 1200 Metres
Mick Whittle’s Cardhu Malt jumped well along with Sharyn Ratsch’s Demob and both skittered out to an early lead at the end of the back straight, but the rest of the field seemed content to let them go.
With no other moves to reel this leading pair in, both horses managed to snatch what ended up being a winning break as they battled well into the home stretch.
Cardhu Malt had a little bit more petrol in the tank when the finishing post loomed and won by a length from Demob.
Jackie’s Paper for Rob Wilkins worked home late to narrowly pick up third another length back, but never threatened the leading pair.
Race 4 - Ceduna Foreshore Hotel Cup 1600 Metres.
Double Cover for Des Courtney may be eight years old and had over 100 starts, but he showed he still has a heart bigger than a grandstand when he took to the lead straight after jumping out in the Cup.
He played a very bold game of catch me if you can, and they very nearly didn’t. However, the race tactic played right into the hands of the eventual winner, Jewel King for Mick Whittle, whose jockey Gary Hoobin was happy to sit well back from the leader down the back and heading into the side of the track.
The latest Ceduna Track specialist, Super Hit for Todd Dawson did his best to take a sit behind this legendary leader, but was shocked when Double Cover kicked two lengths on him when he straightened.
As Super Hit started to narrow the gap, everyone had taken their eyes of the straightening pack where Jewel King was almost calling into Thevenard he went that wide on the turn, but mowed them down late and won from Super Hit who managed to finally wear third place getter Double Cover down.
Race 5 - Ceduna WCT Rural 0 – 58 Handicap 1400 Metres
Dante’s Best for Shylie Williams won the start and really gave nothing else a chance over the 1400 metre course in the final race on the card at Ceduna.
Several runners made tried to make a run at the top of the straight, but confident riding by Tamara Zanker made sure Dante’s Best was never threatened all the way to the line.
He won by three lengths.
Adriano for David Page ran home well late to pick up second but couldn’t make any ground on the winner.
Lady Reyane for Simon Drewitt boxed on well for third another three lengths back.
Ceduna Homescene Hobby Horse Cup
After the last horse race, it was time for the wooden equines to take to the Ceduna track, and the six horse field did it with gusto.
These magnificently bred creations were sold to six “owners” earlier in the day, who then had to find a jockey and also provide a name for their newly (and temporarily) acquired pride and joy.
After taking to the track, the starter decided on a relatively generous handicap for “Got Balls” ridden by Lisa Gentle and “Grey Skull”, ridden by Mark Cant. However, after an absolute flurry at the start (about 40 metres from the winning post), “Got Balls” was quickly grabbed by the chasing pack but “Grey Skull” only lost by a (grey) hair when nailed by “Thor the God” on the line.
The eventual winner was well ridden by Rhys Watkins and trained to the minute by Blake Murray.
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