General News
5 September, 2022
Mareeba Annuals 2022 Success
BRIGHT and bold colours were all the flavour this week at the Mareeba Turf Club as racegoers gathered from near and far for this years Mareeba Annuals.
MALANDA trainer Ricky Ludwig couldn’t have been more pleased when Lord of the Light crossed the winning post first on Saturday to take out the Mareeba Cup.
The four-year-old gelding, which is owned and trained by Ludwig who bought the horse for $15,000 in an online sale, crossed the line first in the race of the day ahead of Necessitas which is owned by Mareeba Turf Club president Alex Malliff, with Roshan coming in third.
Jockey Frank Edwards had a great day, winning the two feature races of the day – on Lord of the Light in Race 5 and on Cool Attitude in the Mareeba Bracelet (Race 3).
Sizzling Sun was a late scratching in the Cup after the horse was injured while being transported to the track.
The five-race program held plenty of surprises for punters throughout the day, with Race 2 (the President’s Benchmark 45 Handicap) declared “abandoned” after an incident at the starting gate.
According to the steward’s report, the starter did not actually start the race, with the barriers opening prematurely, resulting in a number of runners being disadvantaged.
The report says two jockeys, Steve Wilson and Rachel Shred, were taken to Mareeba Hospital after being caught up in the gate incident. Wilson, who was ready to ride Saint No More, was dislodged from his mount and transported to Mareeba Hospital for further observation after sustaining an injury to his left ankle.
Apprentice Shred struck her head on the upper barrier petition when her mount, Let’s Conquer, reared.
After the Race 2 incident, all remaining races were manually started and tested prior to the start.
The day kicked off with the Maiden Plate 900m, taken out by Temps Du Louvre ridden by Masayuki Abe, followed by Bean Warrior and Cody’s Boy.
The Mareeba Bracelet Benchmark 60 Handicap was taken out by the Jenny Ball-trained Cool Attitude, followed by Macipenko (2nd) and Captivated (3rd).
The fourth race on the program, the Class B Handicap over 1500m, was won by Haneda, ridden by Bonnie Thomson, followed by Dubai Moon and Kim Alicia.
Spring fashion in the air at annuals
BRIGHT and bold colours were all the flavour at the Ma-reeba Turf Club on Saturday as racegoers gathered from near and far for this year’s Mareeba Annuals.
Jockeys put on their best performances and fashion-able men, women and children strutted their styles on the field for a perfect day of racing.
Fashions on the Field had many stylish participants this year, with Paul Johnston taking out the Gentleman’s category and Susan Land taking out the Classic Ladies category.
Lady of the Day was awarded to Kymberlee Cockrem, with Emily Bensilum coming in a close second.
Couple of the day went to Alison and Trevor Wilson, who always make the effort to dress up stylishly for every single race day.
Bright greens and pinks were the token colours for 16-year-old Ava Srhoj who took out the Most Fashionable Teen category and pretty pink floral scored little Sylvie Elli-son a win in the Tiny Tot girls’ category.
Sylvie’s little brother Harvey Ellison was not far behind, taking out the Tiny Tot’s boys’ category.
This year’s overall girl’s winner went to young Matilda Spinelli and overall young boys winner went to Master Lang-ford.
Mareeba Turf Club president and trainer Alex Malliff said he was impressed with the day’s outcome and thanked the community for its ongoing support.
“Traditionally on cup days we usually have our little hic-cups because there is so much to do but we have had a good day,” he said.
“Unfortunately, a little bit of a disappointing day personally on the track but trainer Jenny Ball winning the Mareeba Bracelet was a pretty big high-light of today.
“Thank you to the crowd – the community support has al-ways been so strong, and you only have to take a look around to see what a terrific day it has been.”
