It’s also the day the new 2014-2015 racing season gets under way, which for this column will mark the thirteenth consecutive season of its weekly coverage of all things pertaining to the Moruya Jockey Club, whether occurring at home or away.

So, here we go again for what hopefully will be a lucky thirteen for all our horses, trainers and jockeys – it’s amazing how time flies when you’re having a good time.

The 2013-2014 season came to a close last Monday for the Moruya Jockey Club when an exciting seven-event program was conducted in beautiful weather, bringing to a conclusion the season’s premierships for trainers, jockeys and the horse of the year title.

It was great that our two lovely lady trainers Lynda Bundy and Colbey Hill were able to hold the fort as our only two local winners on a day full of photo finishes on the perfectly presented race surface.

My sympathies go to Roly Saxton who was unable to take his rides on the day. 

The first two races went to the visitors with Neville Layt’s No Luck Needed winning the opening two-year-old (1020m) event and Matt Dale’s Sworn Revenge took out the following Maiden (1020m) Plate, both in very tight finishes requiring the photo.

Without any John Marzol runners on the day, Lynda Bundy had the trainers premiership in the bag, and it was terrific to see her go on with it, with her new stable runner Dragon Affair, not having raced for nearly eight months, winning impressively but closely the Class Two (1300m) event. 

The three-year-old filly got to the lead about 100m out in the fast-run race holding out the late charge of Keith Dryden’s Warinda by a short neck on the line. 

Her one win from her previous eight starts before coming to Lynda was also a fast up run and Lynda had her primed and conditioned to perfection for the occasion.

It was then Colbey Hill’s turn to visit the winner’s stall when Lighty Tonighty took the lead at the corner and shook of all challengers to claim a one and three-quarter lengths victory in the Maiden (1425m) event. 

The absolute eye-catcher in the race was John Law’s Cabaret Prince who flew home late out of the pack for a closing second placing in the best race to date in his lightly-raced career. 

I’ve been highlighting Lighty Tonighty’s current campaign’s placings for weeks and I’m sure it gave Colbey great pleasure and relief that he’s now broken his Maiden status. 

Let’s hope, for all concerned, he can now go on with it .

Colbey’s Magic Franco finished a close third in the Benchmark 50 (1435m) race and Matt Wood’s Brockman also claimed third in the Benchmark 60 (2010m) distance event. 

The meeting closed with a Benchmark 65 (1020m) sprint, with Lynda’s Moorings Siren, leading throughout but being caught in the last stride, and being relegated to third in the three-way photo by a head/short head margin.

Lynda’s My Private Dancer claimed the horse of the year title and Brendan Ward won the season’s jockey premiership.

A big thank you goes to Brian Cowden, the entire committee of the Moruya Jockey Club and everyone connected therewith for another outstanding season of racing from your supportive and appreciative community.

Last Friday, John Marzol took Daryl and There Is No Drama to the Wagga meeting run on heavy ground but both returned unplaced.

Code Word (race 1), Stark Tony (race 5), Double Drama (race 6), and Flying Impulse (race 8) running at Canberra today, and Luke Pepper has Sydney Melody in race 4.

Check your guides for Moruya acceptors for Gundagai on Sunday, Forbes on Monday and Goulburn on Tuesday.

Until next week, good luck and good punting.