Those who sponsored the race and attended a trackside reunion at the Cowra Jockey Club meeting on Saturday, November 25 were in high spirits when their former classmate Mathew Cahill won the St Raphael's Class Of 83 Handicap on Hez Golden.
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Remaining friends over the 40 years since their schooldays, the group were in full cry when Mathew Cahill and the Gary Nickson, Warwick Farm trained Hez Golden entered the home straight with a good lead.
Both the lead and the cheering increased as Hez Golden ($2.30 favourite) cleared out to win the 950 metres Class 1 Handicap by over 6 lengths from Gunnerside (Dylan Stanley, $6) and Sauce Dragon (Andrew Banks, $6).
The win was the second in a nine start career for Hez Golden who is a three year old son of More Than Ready and Flash of Doubt raced by Mandalong Stud.
Saturday's racing was a welcome sight for Cowra racing fans as Cowra had not raced for well over 12 months due to the devastating flood which caused huge damage to the racecourse last spring and it was pleasing to see Cowra Jockey Club back hosting a successful meeting.
Appropriately, a local galloper, trainer and jockey won the opening event, the 950 metres Fleming's Real Estate Cowra Class 1 Handicap.
Ridden by Mathew Cahill, the Barry Wall trained Yael's Delight ($3) led throughout to score by almost two lengths from Morezmo (Pierre Boudvillain, $1.80 favourite) and Her Call (Nyssa Burrell, $13).
With rarely more than two in work at the one time Wall is fast building a reputation as an excellent conditioner, especially with tried stock.
Yael's Delight started its career in Queensland and in Victoria before being purchased by Wall, and has now recorded two wins in nine starts for the Cowra trainer.
Bathurst trainer Roy McCabe continued a successful start to the season when Bayeaux (Tony Cavallo, $1.80) had a charmed run behind the leaders before beating Sallista (Andrew Banks, $2.60) and Sogeri (Pierre Boudvillain, $3.50) in the 1100 metres AJP Contracting Maiden Plate.
The well named Stockholm was a runaway winner of the 1375 metres Cowra Dental-Tooth Hurty Maiden Plate for Dubbo trainer Clint Lundholm.
Stockholm was produced by the mare Abba, named after the famous Swedish pop group.
Taking the lead soon after the start, Stockholm (Ronald Simpson, $1.60 fav.) cruised home over six lengths clear of Ten Feathers (Pierre Boudvillain, $5) with another six plus lengths to the third placed Hurling (Clayton Gallagher, $6).
Relishing the heavy track, the Garry Lunn, Dubbo trained Jarmanagic (Zoe Hunt, $3.50) returned to form when coming from fourth to beat Captain Corelli (Pierre Boudvillain, $5) and Serene Shadow (Ronald Simpson, $2.50 fav.) in the 1100 metres Reilly Daley's 10 years at Cowra Motors Benchmark 50 Handicap.
After 51 years service as a committee member and. veterinary surgeon for Cowra Jockey Club, David Payton officiated for the final time on Saturday at Cowra.
In recognition of this remarkable achievement the last race was named the David Payton Retires-Benchmark 50 Handicap and run over 1700 metres.
Jin Chi Phantom took the lead from Go Ellie Go approaching the home turn with Zounile and Little Complicated in prominent positions.
Producing a strong run down the outside from midfield, the Kylie Kennedy, Narromine trained Ready Made Doll (Clayton Gallagher, $8) won by three lengths from Broo Boss (Nyssa Burrell, $12) which came from near last while Zounile (Zoe Hunt, $2.80 fav.) battled on for third.
Racing this week at Mudgee and Narromine.
