Benjamin Parslow of Can U dig filling out the form on the rainy day of races held by the Forbes Jockey Club.
Forbes Jockey Club (FJC) held its first race meeting of the 2021 calendar year on Saturday, 2 January, to the backdrop of COVID-19 protocols and gloomy wet weather. Yet despite this, FJC Secretary Lys Cunningham lauded the day as a success.
“It was a big effort to get this up considering how difficult 2020 has been for everyone,” said Lys.
“I cannot thank our volunteers, patrons, punters, owners, trainers, jockeys, officials, the board and sponsors enough.
“It has been a massive team effort to get this going and fortunately the rain didn’t stop us,” Lys said.
The first race J&C Newcombe Class One Maiden Plate was taken by Matt Cahill on Same Old Scene coming from behind at the death to pip Dizzy Dylan with Down Stage third.
Race two was one for the girls with Heni Ede sensational on number four Sizzleonthebridgen ahead of Penny Bonitas and Hot Fancy Boult in the Peter Maher Shearing Services Benchmark 58 Handicap over 1300 metres.
The heavy showers may have softened the track but it did not dampen the spirits of Heni Ede though, who got the chocolates again in the third race, Darlington Irrigation Maiden Plate to make it two in a row with a fabulous ride on number 12, Zenyasa with number seven, Big Apple Burt second, and Fire Shadow back into third.
The Nicholson Petroleum Benchmark 50 rounded off a nice day for the lady jockey’s with Nyssa Burrells awesome on Jawsome. Looking Alive came in a gallant second ahead of early fancy Billy Bent Ear and Great Excitement fourth.
The day was a great success especially for new FJC President Randal Grayson, was extremely pleased especially considering the challenges the industry and broader community have faced the last year or so.
By Dane Millerd