HORSE Four FortyFour, trained by John Law from Moruya, was awarded the Horse of the Year at the Eden Motor Group Race Day held on Saturday.
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“It was really good, we are really happy with how the day went,” Sapphire Coast Turf Club secretary/manager Rob Tweedie said.
“About 500 people braved the cold.
“The gate takings were not overly large but we were happy enough with the crowd.
“The racing was great and very competitive.”
Mr Tweedie said there was a good corner of grass at the moment due to the mild winter.
Local horse All Giving trained by Ray Wheatley was on equal first before the race day, but came fourth in the last race and second for the Horse of the Year.
It was a tight finish, Mr Tweedie said, as Four FortyFour came third in the last race which gave it an extra point to slip ahead.
Jockey of the Year was awarded to Brendan Ward of Canberra, who rode All Giving in the final race, and Trainer of the Year was awarded to Donna Grisedale of Kembla Grange.
The last race was won by Daryl, trained by John Marzol and ridden by Carly Frater, who was riding in only her third race.
She had her first race at Wagga Wagga on Friday then two at the Eden Motor Race, and was happy with winning the day’s last race.
“It was a really great feeling,” Frater said.
“The horse, Daryl, he’s a really good horse, so he made it a fair bit easier for me.
“It was very good [John] Marzol to give me a chance to ride him.”
Frater has been riding since she was a child.
Originally from Scotland, she came out to Australia two years ago and moved to Canberra last year to pursue her dream of becoming a jockey.
She is now apprenticed to Barbara Joseph of Joseph and Jones Racing and said everyone has been very supportive in helping her achieve her goals.
She will be racing again on Friday in Canberra.