Saturday’s meeting at the Esperance Bay Turf Club was the second to be televised throughout Australasia on the Sky Channel network. Big fields, some top jockeys and TV coverage led to a large amount of off-course turnover which is very encouraging for the race club.
Favourite backers were off to a great start when Shaun Meeres steered My Girl Kate to an effortless triumph in the first event, the McCreeds Classique Jewellers Maiden. The four year old mare enjoyed an easy run before scoring by 2.25 lengths over Donnyonetime and Time To Front.
The second was sponsored by Jetset Esperance and Debany Poll Dorsets and local speedster Tashi Delek led all the way. She found the outright lead easily from a wide gate and went on to provide a thrill for her young, 3kg claiming apprentice Alex Lawrence. Newcomer Kaszanka finished second with Trida Brando running on strongly to claim third. The Concrete World Handicap was taken out by Landmark Lady who zoomed down the outside to win by one length in a fast 1.10.32. Seven horses crossed the line together in a raffle for the minor placings with roughies She’ll Be Right and Hello Dollie claiming second and third respectively.
The fourth race was the Sharpe Brothers Handicap and top-weight Expedition showed class, winning by over a length in a new track record of 1.09.44. That time was just 0.11 inside of the great William’s Steal’s time that was set back in 2004. He’s Smokin’ battled on gamely to be the runner up and after a wide run Mufasa finished third. The Quick’N’Clean Carwash Maiden (1300m) provided a close finish. The Kalgoorlie trained Cyclos scored narrowly over Lucky Bay and Snooza wasn’t far away in third position. Cyclos was ridden confidently by apprentice Hayley Diener while Lucky Bay took the shortcuts before challenging unsuccessfully in the late stages.
The Home Hardware Handicap belonged to Lyoveldio who held off a late challenge from race favourite Stormy Express. Platinum Lad and Grand Storm shared the lead for a long way before finishing third and fourth respectively. The final race was the Duncan Stewart Liquor Store Country Challenge Heat and it provided a ‘blanket’ finish. The Justin Parsons trained All The Gold zoomed down the outside to hand young hoop Hayley Diener a double. Local talent Ron’s Gem ran second with Hackett’s Heart and Jeux D’Esprit in third and fourth spots. The margins were a (neck x neck x head). The SuperTAB Quadrella returned a giant dividend of $8,396 and amazingly, turnover on the last race exceeded $98,000. The next meeting held at the E.B.T.C. will be on Boxing Day with the usual 2pm start. The following fixture will be a Friday twilight meeting on January 7, with the first of seven races scheduled for approximately 3pm.
Horses to follow ; Time To Front, Super Bullant, Corolla, Mufasa, Leidenwin, Platinum Lad and Hackett’s Heart.
Ryan Levitzke (race caller)
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