THE King Island Racing Club Maritime Day is one that many will never forget. The buzz started on Friday as racegoers and supporters descended from the skies, took over accommodation and met up at the King Island Hotel mixing it up with locals and racing identities.
They then made their way to Wild Harvest in Grassy for a King Island foodie experience, Calcutta and thoroughbred auction which benefited new owners and charity. The buildup and anticipation for the inaugural Miners Rest Cup on Maritime Race Day was huge. Racegoers, the Ballarat connections, sponsors, owner connections and the Racing Club were not disappointed. The punters were vocal and one could be forgiven thinking that it was Flemington with a hill, and more country.
The overwhelming response throughout the day and after was festive with jubilation and warmth. Maritime Day became an eight-race meet with the inaugural Miners Rest/Magic Millions Cup, Race 7 on the card.
The cup was not a cup, but a mounted crayfish and $20,000 in prize money. The race was won by Afridi, trained by Robert Keys and riden by Thomas Doyle. Owners are A and C McEvoy. Second was Never Astern, trainer Jim Taylor, jockey Bruno Neto, owner H Dwyer. Third was Paxa Punch, trainer Rowan Hamer, jockey Neil Ryan, owner A Noblett. Trainer driver Paul Williams won the King Island Pacing Championship, with Tisu Storm.
This completed the treble for Williams and the island’s premier pacer wins, having already won the King Island Pacing Cup and Flying Mile. The Pacing Championship was sponsored by Senator Anne Urquhart. This was her seventh year of coming to the King Island Races.
“I started coming with a group of friends, and then started sponsoring. Parliament hasn’t started, so we all catch up and enjoy a great time on the island,” she said.
Another highlight race was the Ern Chitts Bracelet sponsored by Eastern Shipping Line and won by Midnight Kisses, trainer Robert Keys, jockey Thomas Doyle, owner M Lehman. Jockey Thomas Doyle has shown his expertise throughout the seaaon and has grown in confidence.
His skilful win on Saturday put him in front of some of Australia’s best known trainers. The word around the pavillion was he will be making his way to mainland racing. It may not have been a Melbourne Cup win, but racegoers could be excused for thinking it was as Thomas made three victory laps of the track and standing salutes to the crowd.
The Victorian trainers, who responded to King Island Racing Club president, Audrey Hamer’s call for help when it looked likely that the season would be cancelled and the end of the 130 year old club, are known as the “Ballarat Connections” and were led by Henry Dwyer, Henry Dwyer Racing and included McEvoy Mitchell Racing Alexander Racing Grampians Racing -Andrew Bobbin Maher/ Eustace and Andrew Noblett Racing.
What started as a response to Ms Hamer’s callout out asking for assistance for the supply of horses, trainers and ground support, snowballed into six horses being purchased online by six renowned Victorian trainers who sent them to the island to be locally trained. Horse and race sponsors came on board including Magic Millions which was drawn to sponsor the $20,000 Miners Rest Cup race. What started as a group helping out by supplying horses, with little expectation, and some insider fun and humor grew to competition, serious racing, social media following and media attention.
Well known sports commentator Bruce McAlvaney was invited to the meet and was generous with his “selfie” time and spoke of the importance and enjoyment of grass roots racing. Six local organisations benefited from their involvement.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service, the Grassy Pool, the King Island Museum, King Island SES/Fire Brigade, King Island Community Help and the Snodgrass Park will each receive $4000 and the King Island Racing Club $5000. Local trainers need to be recognized and congratulated for their skill and dedication in getting these untried horses race ready for each meeting, as well as preparing their stable of horses for each meeting in the season.
The actions, drive and enthusiasm of Ms Hamer and her committee ensured that not only could the 2023 racing season could go ahead when it was once again in jeopardy, but after the day’s success, appear to have secured the club’s future as the trainers, owners and guests had such a wonderful time. “We hope to do it all again next year,” they said.
The next and final meeting is next Saturday 28 January and is the Southern Airlines Fly In Day.