The first meeting of the season, Ladies and Tradies Day, was last Saturday. The skies were blue, the sun shone and there was a light breeze, so perfect racing conditions.
However, Race One caused a heart in the mouth moment. Miss Cumberland trained and raced by Ian Johnson, ridden by Jamie Gibbons was a late scratching. Miss Avida trained by Robert Keys, jockey Thomas Doyle, was unsettled at the barriers, the jockey dismounted, and the horse scratched.
The race had a start; however, Miss Avida broke away and commenced racing riderless towards the oncoming field, ultimately passing the group at the finish line Race caller Duncan Dornauf warned jockeys of the riderless runner on track. Fortunately, Miss Avida stayed close to the opposing rails.
“It was heart stopping and scary. I’m so relieved that the horse stuck to the rails and the incident didn’t become anything more,” King Island Racing Club President, Audrey Hamer said after the race.
The first race also gave punters their first look at this season’s imported horses. Local trainer Jim Taylor won the race with Axelbatchfoley. He made it a double in the second, with Kookaburra, jockey, Bruno Nero.
The imported horses didn’t win any races, but Paxa Punch representing Andrew Noblett Racing Ballarat with local trainer Rowan Hamer jockey Ismail Toker and Afridi representing McEvoy Mitchell Racing, local trainer Robert Keys jockey Thomas Doyle, both came in second.
The other imports behaved well and came in further back in the fields. Victorian trainer Chris Diplock, who has relocated to the island with his horses, had a horse running in each race and placed third with Leny’s Ready in Race 3 and Master Montecito in Race 5, jockey Amy Herrmann.
The ride of the day was awarded to Woods Point trainer Tammy Muir, jockey Amy Hermann and owned by T. Muir R. Muir R.R Muir and D. Muir. “The club would have liked a bigger attendance, but the committee was relieved that the season is finally underway with horses, trainers, jockeys, and a race ready track,” Ms Hamer said.
“There have been plenty who have dressed up and I congratulate all the Fashions on the Field winners and judges Jessica Cox, Mandy Potter, and Mayor Marcus Blackie for making the presentations.
I thank everyone who has helped get this season off the ground, the sponsors, trainers and crews and the Racing Club committee, Secretary Heather Archer, and Treasurer Chris Conn.
“Congratulations to Graeme Keeley who has been honoured and made a Life Member. I’d also like to thank Bill Hayes, veteran racing photographer for finally getting to the island and thanks to Jimmy Taylor who persuaded him to come. “It has been a wonderful day. We look forward seeing you all next Saturday at Beef Day.”
Looking at the quick moving queues, Honest Howies Betting Emporium did a busy trade as did the bar and K&K mobile catering. For all race results see the King Island Racing Club Facebook page and watch race days live on King Island TV YouTube.
Race Day books are available at the Post Office King Island Hotel and King Island Club and Beef Day all you can eat, and drink tickets can be purchased, and menu viewed online through the race club page or community noticeboard Facebook pages.