Michael Travers (pictured with Gundagai-Adelong Racing President Jeremy Pearce, took home the Hair of the Dog Cup with his runner Dynamic One (also pictured).
The day’s seven-race program delivered an action-packed card on the Good 4 Turf Track, with strong performances from both favourites and long-shots. The competition was defined by several thrilling finishes, the success of runners carrying the day’s heaviest weights, and the standout efforts of jockey Pierre Boudvillain and trainer Gratz Vella.
Race 1: Scooty And Sweep Fights for Memorial Win
The card opened with the Jim, Tess and Jamie Irving Memorial Class 1 & Maiden Plate (1800m), a demanding distance that tested the staying ability of the field. The favourite, the Donna Scott-trained mare Scooty And Sweep ($2.50F), proved her stamina. Under the urgings of Blaike McDougall, the mare outlasted her rivals in the 1:49.83 run, securing the $13,950 winner’s share. The finish was notable for the determined run of Evokes ($5.50), who finished 1.22 lengths in arrears, and the rare occurrence of a dead heat for fourth place between Time For Snow ($7.50) and the rank outsider Doppio (NZ) ($101).
Races 2 & 4: Boudvillain and Vella Notch Double
Trainer Gratz Vella and jockey Pierre Boudvillain combined for a successful double, showcasing both speed and strength across the day. First, in the Goanna Graphics Country Boosted Maiden Handicap (1000m), the Vella-trained Wonderful Mistake ($1.60F) ran true to expectations. The sprinter put in a sharp performance, clocking a speedy 0:57.62 with a closing 600m split of 0:34.22, defeating the $20 chance Falcon Gold by 1.19 lengths.
The pair returned in the K J’S Club Café Class 2 Handicap (1000m), where they achieved their second victory with Teylu ($2.15F). This win was arguably the more impressive, as the gelding defied a significant 61kg top weight to win by 0.62 lengths over Reasonable Point ($3.30). Teylu’s sheer class saw him prevail in a fast 0:57.09, demonstrating his potential for higher grades despite the heavy burden.
Race 3: My Inspiration Breaks Through as Favourite Falters
The IT’S TAB TIME Maiden Handicap (1400m) provided a victory for the Michael Travers stable when My Inspiration ($8) finally secured her maiden win, also ridden by Pierre Boudvillain for his second win of the day. While My Inspiration succeeded, the favourite, Super Nic ($3.50F), had a disappointing run, finishing well down the track in seventh place. My Inspiration showed impressive acceleration in the 1:23.90 contest, holding off the late bursts of the equal $11 chances Launch Mode and Reef Road to claim the $13,950 first prize.
Benchmark Events Dominated by Class Overweight
The latter half of the program featured two valuable benchmark handicaps, both of which saw horses handle heavy weights to triumph, while the favourites struggled for consistency.
In the Hahn Super Dry Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap (1180m), the Danielle Seib-trained Hellinda ($4) pulled off a minor upset over the $3.40F chance Doubtfree. Ridden by Dale Cole, Hellinda was weighted with 63.5kg (reduced to 60.5kg by the apprentice claim) but still managed to put a 1.51-length margin on Son of Eureka ($7) in second, with the favourite finishing third. The win underlined the mare’s competitive advantage over the 1180m journey.
Race 6: Dynamic One Takes Out the Hair of the Dog Cup
The featured event, the Gundagai District Services Club Hair of the Dog Cup – Benchmark 66 Handicap (1800m), went to Dynamic One ($10), giving trainer Michael Travers his second success of the afternoon. With Ms Brittany Button claiming 2kg off the 60kg impost, Dynamic One was guided perfectly to finish 0.66 lengths ahead of the favoured Southern Dancer ($3.10F). The Cup carried the day’s largest first prize of $16,470 from a $34,000 pool, marking a valuable win for the connections. Maid In Dubai ($6.50) secured third place in the competitive cup field.
Race 7: Cashbook Closes the Card with Upset
The final race, the Mitch Goodsall Class 1 Handicap (1180m), saw another favourite undone. The Todd Smart-trained Cashbook ($8) carried the crushing 61kg top weight and put on a powerful display under Jack Martin to defeat Friskee Frog ($5) by 1.07 lengths. The well-supported favourite, Sheridan Street ($2.80F), could only manage a distant third place, unable to match the speed and strength of the two placegetters in the final dash. The day concluded with three horses successfully carrying top weight (Teylu, Hellinda, and Cashbook) to victory, proving that class was often the deciding factor on a fair Good 4 surface.
– Tully Potts
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