An enthusiastic crowd at the King Island Racecourse watched Southern Jewel emerge victorious in the $4,500 2023/24 Jim McKenzie Agencies King Island Cup (1800m).
The Cup Day races, traditionally held on New Year’s Day moved to New Year’s Eve due to clashes with the Tasmanian racing calendar.
Southern Jewel, priced at $5, made a remarkable comeback from second-last position at the 650m mark. The four-year-old gelding surged to the lead halfway down the straight, clinching victory by 3/4 of a length over Run Callan Run ($4.00) and Lindrum ($4.00). Despite being the $3 favourite, Screw Creek finished in sixth place with a recorded time of 1:52.19s.
Jockey Randy Tan secured a last-minute ride after the original rider change deadline on Thursday left connections in need of a jockey. Rowan Hamer’s triumph as the trainer marked the third generation of his family to achieve a King Island Cup victory. Southern Jewel is now set to compete in the $20k Miners Rest Cup on January 20 in Andrew Noblet’s slot. Mr Noblet is a member of the Ballarat trainers syndicate and was present at Saturday’s event.
In the Carlton & United Breweries Pacing Cup, Tammy Langley, a harness racing trainer based in Brighton, continued her winning streak with a satellite stable on the island. Lou Lous Allgold, the $1.50 favourite, overcame a 20m handicap to secure victory in the Pacing Cup. Driver Tiarna Ford strategically positioned the mare five back on the pylons before making a move at Johnson’s Corner at the 800m mark. Lou Lous Allgold took the lead at the 400m, securing a 6.5m win over Pawnbrokers Lad ($5.00) and Who’s Watching Now ($7.00), with a mile rate of 2:17.2s.
The King Island Racing Club presented four Life Membership pins during the day. One went to Barry Taylor, the son of local racing identities Jim and Sue Taylor.
Racing Club president Audrey Hamer told patrons that this was the first father and son to become life members
. “Barry started race riding when he was 15 and when he became too heavy, he commenced a steward cadetship and worked behind the barriers. He has been on the race club committee for many years and was club vice president for two or three years,” Ms Hamer said as she presented him his pin.
The second Life membership was awarded to Deb Monson, and was presented by Jim Taylor. “I’ve known Deb since she worked with John Keys doing track and Ron Muir was foreman,” Mr Taylor said.
“It took Deb four years to get her trainer’s licence, she ran the Taylor satellite stable, has been involved with two KI Cup winners, trained or connected in some way with nearly every winner in the main King Island races and on the race club committee for many years.”
The third Life Membership pin awarded was to Warren Fisher, son of ex-King Islander, Sue Fisher, whose words were read by Ms Hamer during the presentation. They described Warren’s lifelong involvement in Island racing, starting with grandfather Ernie Fisher, who was connected with the Barnes Stables in the 1930s and 40s.
Boyd Hoare received the fourth and final Life Membership. Ms Hamer explained that Boyd first became involved with horses through his sister in 1989 and then took on the racing club’s barrier duties in 1990 which he continues to do today.
The next race meet is King Island Recreation Day Saturday 13 January starting at 12.30 pm.