Trainer Adam Durrant was a happy man after William Pike led Bon Voyage ($5) to victory in the $19,000 Melbourne Cup Day at Bunbury Handicap on Thursday afternoon.
The third date on the 2018/19 Bunbury Turf Club calendar saw riders enjoying both the sunshine and a slight wind.
Ten impressive 3yo+ entrants delivered a tight showdown over 1108 metres during the final race of the day.
Bon Voyage stood an outside chance after settling fifth in the field.
The bay gelding remained fifth at the final turn, as Secret Assault looked set to claim the $11,210 first prize.
Pike and Bon Voyage were thrilled after crossing the line a neck in front of race favourite Patapus.
Secret Assault fell back on the home straight to finish half a length behind Bon Voyage in third place.
Earlier in the day, Craig Staples and Bon Signore ($61) surprised punters by taking out the Amelia Park Wines Handicap.
Part of a field of eight going head-to-head over 1410m, the bay gelding settled first and remained in front past the 800m mark and the turn.
As a stunned crowd watched on, Bon Signore thundered down the home straight to cross a short neck ahead of Civilcon Construction Handicap winner, and race favourite, Deception Game.
Over 1008m, Patrick Carbery and Together We Dream ($3.10) led from the barrier to take out the TABTouch Better Your Bet Handicap.
The 4-year-old was ahead of the field past the turn and managed to maintain her position down the straight.
The bay mare finished one-and-three-quarter lengths ahead of Futurist and two lengths in front of Driftwood Girl.
Competing in a thrilling field of 12, Lucy Warwick pushed Habari ($31) to win the 1690m HitFM Melbourne Cup Day Fashions on the Field event.
Warwick and Habari settled in ninth, but were able to move up to eighth past the turn.
The 5-year-old brown mare then put on a miraculous display just before the line, finishing a short-half-head in front of Chapasco.
Race-goers will don sharp suits and stunning frocks during Bunbury Turf Club’s Melbourne Cup Day celebrations on Tuesday, November 6.
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