John had been involved with horses most of his life and in particular racehorses as a veterinarian, breeder and trainer of racehorses and as a member of the club’s committee during the period when the racecourse was moved from town to its current site.

John’s funeral will be held at 2pm today at St Bernard’s Church in Batehaven and family, friends and the racing community will gather at the Moruya Jockey Club from 4pm to celebrate his life. 

Since the successful Moruya Cup day meeting there has not been a lot of regional racing however, Moruya horses have had a few significant successes.

At Canberra on January 22 Tom Lyttle’s horse Margarita Rush produced a Bernborough like performance to win a Class one with local apprentice Melinda Kinny in the saddle. 

On a wet track and from the outside barrier, Mel settled the horse in last position before pulling wide in the straight looking for firmer ground. It was an inspired decision with Margarita Rush flying down the outside to win easily in the end.

On January 27, Can Be Bossy, a former Moruya galloper, won a Class one at Goulburn for new trainer Danny Williams. 

The horse is part owned by Mark Macdonald and Tammy Gillis, who raised and trained the horse until recently when ill health forced Mark to take a break from training. Watch out for this horse in the city in coming weeks. 

On Monday a few local trainers travelled to Nowra for a day’s racing on a very wet track. Debi Saxton was the most successful local with She’s Back running a good third and Sea Home winning race six.

This weekend is the Sapphire Coast two-day carnival with the Bega Cup and Sprint the highlights to be run on Sunday. 

The highway will be busy with Moruya trucks and floats heading south.  Moruya will be represented by the likes of Jacakaizane, Brockman, Yarragee Road, Dad’s Cash, Aidan Anthony and Rosaruby. 

Best of luck to all the local trainers and horses and let’s hope they bring home lots of prizemoney and a few of the trophies.  Moruya next races on Friday February 26.