“Early it was light winds and overcast then as the clouds parted, the winds picked up to 70kmh gusts, but the windy conditions didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of racegoers that turned out for a fantastic day,” club secretary/manager Rob Tweedie said.

Despite the wind, Tweedie said the turf club was grateful for ongoing support from local businesses as they backed the community-run club. 

“We put so mach back into the community with our WorkAbility crew out on the track and support of local businesses truly strengthens our position in the community,” he said. 

Tweedie said there were excellent fields for the full race card, but some of the hot favourites were just too strong on the day.  

“It was another day where favoured horses dominated with five of the seven races going to horses strong in the market. The big track here at Sapphire tends to give the favoured runners every chance to win if they are good enough on the day.”

In race one, the  Luke Pepper trained She Zar hanging badly four back off the turn, but apprentice Rachel Hunt did well keeping the horse balanced and She Zar went on to score an impressive win under the circumstances. Officials also commended Princess Tabitha who ran second after a barnstorming run. 

Race two favourite O’Behave settled in the lead nicely and looked to have the race packaged up when Blue Tuscan switched on and overhauled the leader on the line with apprentice Brock Ryan in the saddle. 

In race three, the topweight Changing Notes was going for three-in-a-row, but unfortunately had to settle for second as the Tom Little-trained Gatto Mondo came with a barnstorming run down the centre of the track  from last to score a convincing and well deserved victory for apprentice Mel Kinny.

Race four shaped as groundhog day for Kinny and Little as they paired up again for a race double with Grasp sneaking clear at the top of the straight before extending its lead to three lengths. 

Race five was a quick-sprint over 900 metres where Red Fender by Richard Clarke looked strong in the parade ring. 

“This mare won a trial at Randwick by three lengths early in the piece and a trial at Moruya by seven lengths so obviously has ability,” Tweedie said. 

The mare produced similar results again for jockey Mick Travers flying away on the straight.

After early wins, the in-form Brock Ryan lined up for a double on the Terry Robinson trained Stratacus.  Rushman was leading the pace, but Stratacus came with a well-timed run to go on for the win, while Legal Tender claimed third running off the back. 

And the day’s final race saw Canberra trainer Garry Kirkup saddling favourite Mazurka for Brendand Ward and backers claimed the cash as the combination rode to a four-and-a-half length win.