It was rainy, windy and overcast for the 2018 XXXX Gold Bunbury Cup on Sunday March 25.
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This didn’t deter the punters as people gathered for the Bunbury Turf Club’s most popular event.
Shaun McGruddy made it two big wins in one week by riding Couleur Bizarre ($8) to victory in the $120,000 main event.
The grey-chestnut gelding settled in third place around the track before moving to second at the 800 metre mark.
Feeling confident close to the finish line, McGruddy pushed Couleur Bizarre up to first at the final turn and maintained top spot down the home straight.
Couleur Bizarre stormed home to clinch the Cup by half a length over race favourite Cappo D'Oro and one-and-three-quarter lengths from third-placed Dark Musket.
After the race, trainers Jerry and Christine Stelmach thanked McGruddy, their staff and event organisers for their efforts.
Rider Andrew Castle led Goodluck Simba ($10) to win the 1675m Get the TABTouch Handicap and the $11,210 prize.
Goodluck Simba sat in eighth spot at the 800m point and seventh at the final turn. The gelding stormed home to win two lengths ahead of Bodega Beau.
The William Barrett and Sons Vase Handicap saw Seaside Serenade ($18) cause an upset win over Disruptive.
Led by William Pike, Seaside Serenade galloped past the front-runners and finished two-and-a-quarter lengths in front of the clear race favourite.
Early in the day was the Bunbury Forum Fashions on the Field were there was a great turn out of entries.
It was Stephanie Harwood who took the top prize and Jo Bovell in second and Susanne McCloy in third.
Taking out the men’s category was Brad Smith.
Photos by Jemillah Dawson and Thomas Munday.