As we now commence our thirteenth year, may it be a lucky thirteen for all of us and for the Moruya Jockey Club, our horses, trainers and riders. 

To mark the occasion I’m delighted to report that it was another exciting and successful past weekend of racing for our Moruya horses and riders at the four regional meetings at which they took part, being Canberra on Friday, Kembla Grange and Harden Picnics on Saturday, and Queanbeyan on Sunday. 

Three Moruya runners made the trip to Canberra on Friday and Roly Saxton had riding engagements there. 

Kevin Cassidy’s last-start winner Goodlookin’rooster was our first to run in a small, but strong field of seven in the Benchmark 70 (1200m) event, and he finished off strongly from well back to finish a close third. 

This was a very good result being well up in grade but down in weight over his last start, also at Canberra, and he’s maintaining his good form. 

Mike Gatty’s Rush Indulgence had a slow start form an awkward gate but finished off strongly for a mid-field finish in the Benchmark 65 (1400m) event. 

Then Chicka Pearson’s Stake Knife stepped out in the final race, another strong Benchmark 55 (1200m) sprint, with Kevin Sweeney aboard. 

He was wide in the big field for most of the run, making up enormous ground up the straight for another very close second behind Canberra-based Rose’s Song. Stake Knife has been a great money-earner for Chicka and connections, his record now being 61 starts for six wins, 10 second placings and 12 thirds, with three of those second placings coming from his last four starts. 

Thomas Lyttle’s debut winner Gatto Mondo, with Scott Pollard once again aboard, was our only runner at Saturday’s provincial meeting at Kembla Grange. 

She once again showed her brilliant prospects by getting over the line first, but unfortunately lost the race in the stewards’ room when the protest by second placegetter, Tony McEvoy’s Loncava, was upheld. 

Gatto Mondo raced greenly up the straight, veering out a long way when in front, and taking Loncava out with her. 

If she had maintained a straight line to the post, she was the certain winner, so it was bad luck for Tom but he’s still got a very exciting horse on his hands and there should be plenty more wins in store for the three-year-old filly. 

Also on Saturday, Tim Phillips rode in all six races at the Harden Picnic meeting, claiming two wins, one second and two thirds. 

It was another dominant day but unfortunately his only non-placing came in the feature Harden Cup where he finished a three-lengths fourth. 

Only two Moruya runners ran at Queanbeyan on Sunday and both of them returned home as winners. 

Steve Stephens’ debut runner Arr Gee Three was too strong for the 12-horse field in the Maiden (875m) sprint, coming home out wide to claim victory on the line in a photo. 

We’re going to see a lot more of this exciting prospect as progress is made through the grades. 

Wade Mathie’s Yeeha had run second at his last two starts and on Sunday it was great to see him finally go one better when winning the Maiden (1460m) event with Roly in the saddle. 

He flew home out wide under Roly’s urgings to claim victory on the line by a neck. 

Well done to Wade and Roly on this very well-deserved win. 

Roly was set to ride Frank Walden’s Braidwood-based Fabulous Dragon at Warwick Farm on Wednesday but unfortunately it was scratched on the morning. 

I’m excited by the prospects of our nominations for Sunday’s Goulburn meeting, with Steve Stephens’ Baldovino in the Anniversary Cup and Jayko, Magic Franco and Rush To Judgement in the Crookwell Cup mix. 

Luke Pepper and Bernie Connell also have nominations in for the meeting. 

Good luck to everyone for the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, particularly if you are at the Moruya Jockey Club for our own support meeting, like many others across the nation. 

Until next week, good luck and good punting.