RACING: Star local jockey Lucy Warwick produced one of the most cool headed and patient rides you would ever hope to see when she piloted Aunty Zelma home to emphatically win the TabTouch Provincial Sprinters’ Heat which was one of two principal events on last Thursday’s racing card at Bunbury Turf Club.
As was to be expected in a small field of crack sprinters the initial pace was frenetic.
But Warwick was content to sit near the tail of the field on Aunty Zelma, saving her mount for a final assault.
Spiritual Eyes for Glenn Smith got to the front rounding the home turn and shot clear in the straight while Warwick was still showing no signs of urgency, riding her mount patiently.
She called on the horse at the 200 meter mark and Aunty Zelma produced a paralyzing finishing burst putting paid to her rivals with a well-executed swoop.
Warwick’s father Justin trains Aunty Zelma at his Myalup complex and was full of praise for his “little girl” and the poise shown by his daughter in riding a perfectly judged race.
Pop Hero for the Gelorup based Giadresco stable finished on strongly from last to finish second in front of the race favorite Spiritual Eyes.
The TabTouch Provincial Stayers’ race, the other principal event on the day, also produced a smart type when race favorite Planets Align, aided by a vigorous ride from leading jockey William Pike, narrowly defeated Dabang and The Conjurer bringing up its third win from three starts.
Another notable on the day was the training performance by Bunbury’s Robert Witten who produced Daneawing to win first up in an exciting driving finish which saw eight horses cross the line within a length and a quarter of each other.
Esprit Hero was most impressive for the Bayliss family racing syndicate when it won its second consecutive race in emphatic fashion after having been transferred to the stable of Michael Lane.
The meeting proved a tough day for humble tipsters when only two favorites, Discord Witch and Planet’s Align, saluted the judge and a number of short priced runners including Dark Love, One Demerit, Spiritual Eyes and Secret Minx ran races probably better forgotten.
Krakka Vision for Lane also started at a short quote and was beaten into second place for the third time in succession.
I think it a little disappointing that a number of leading metropolitan based trainers who had well fancied runners on the program chose not to attend this meeting but rather left their charges in the care of qualified stable representatives.
Hey, surely they are not that busy.
There was some thought on track that the strong south-westerly breeze blowing right down the main straight on the day may have brought about the demise of some of these runners.
Capel trainer Ross Price and Ruabon-based Mark Wright completed a good day for the locals when their horses Modern Touch at long odds and Blackvice respectively won their races.
The other winner on the day was the Colin Webster trained On Trend who defeated Krakka Vision.
I think it will pay punters to follow On Trend, Planet’s Align and Herecomesthestorm in future meetings, probably in metropolitan races.
Provincial racing will return to Bunbury Turf Club on Sunday, November 22, when another big program and a good on coursed crowd can be expected.
Racegoers and like-minded business people with Christmas festivities being planned are reminded that there will be a Friday twilight meeting on December 11, followed by a meeting on Sunday, December 20.
