THERE were few surprises on Sunday as race favourite Happy Finish took out the main event at the Sapphire Coast Turf Club’s Merimbula Jazz Festival Cup.
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Ten-year-old gelding Happy Finish, trained by Matthew Dale, didn’t disappoint punters with a top performance over 1200m to win the event’s signature race.
“This race shaped up strong on paper and in the end it was no surprise to see Happy Finish and Subarc fighting out the finish,” Sapphire Coast Turf Club’s secretary/manager Rob Tweedie said.
“The cream rose to the top with these two simply outclassing the opposition.
“Happy Finish won the race with a simply brilliant ride from Koby Jennings.”
Tweedie said the turf club had good crowds through the gates on Sunday, including plenty of families.
“The jazz band Second Time Around entertained the crowds between races and after a chilly morning the day warmed up into a spectacular winter afternoon,” he said.
Although the Merimbula Jazz Festival Cup was meant to the Turf Cup’s main race, its thunder was stolen by race four, the curiously named Rory Djokovich Bucks’ Day.
“It’s a great story behind that one,” Tweedie said.
“I was contacted by a group of blokes from Sydney via email, keen to travel down for the event for a friend’s buck’s party.
“They asked if they could sponsor a race and they all chipped in and did it.
“The buck, Rory Kennefick, was dressed up as tennis player Novak Djokovich and all this mates were done up as tennis players too.
“They had a great day out and told me they are planning on making it an annual event, although who’s getting married next time I wouldn’t know!”
The Matthew Dale-trained Jacinta won the Rory Djokovich Bucks’ Day race after a confident ride from Brendan Ward, Dale’s second win of the day.
“Looking through Matthew's last 50 starters he has trained 13 winners,” Tweedie said.
“That’s a pretty good strike rate and something the Matthew Dale stable has been renowned for over the years.”
Apprentice jockey Winona Costin scored a double win, riding first-place getters French Tarte (race one) and Goodlookin'rooster (race six), while Roly Saxton rode three winners - Broxton (race three), On the High Seas (race five) and Bengello (race eight).
Bengello was trained by Saxton’s wife Debi-Lee.
“Debi’s starting to turn a few heads with her horses presented beautifully and consistently running up to their looks,” noted Tweedie.
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