MOTHER Nature had the final say on Saturday, putting a dampener on the work of the Inverell Jockey Club to promote their first race meeting of the new season.
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The rain event trumpeted by the forecasters disappointed racegoers by arriving just as the races started. It continued throughout the day.
Inverell Jockey Club secretary Leanne Brown said the club appreciated the sponsors and trade exhibitors who braved the elements, but the rain came just at the wrong time. It left the anticipated crowd, bar and canteen takings well down.
“Despite the small crowd, a good amount was raised for NEVAT from general donations and they were happy, and hoping that other community organisations will help them in a similar way.” Brown said
“The track held the rain well and started at a good rating, which was gradually downgraded during the day, with the last race conducted on slow but safe going. Muggleton’s Removals won the draw for a free 10 person package for a future meeting so they certainly enjoyed the day.”
Sponsors of the first race Sapphire City Bakery had an eventful weekend. They had a break-in at their premises and their delivery vehicle was stolen and then wrecked.
There were also some wrecked hopes after the race. A strong betting plunge on the previously unraced, Nathaniel Scott trained Enough For All saw it backed into $2.10 favourite.
Unfortunately for locals, ano-ther hobby trainer, Ron Buckpitt from Tamworth, finally got in into the credit with Jock Cum Laude that broke his maiden status after 22 starts.
Inverell trainer Luke Berger had an exciting win when Jade Mountain ($4) charged home down the extreme outside of the track to win race four, the Stewart’s Grain Trading Handicap. The win pleased a big syndicate of stable clients, including Bundarra publican and ex-jockey Ron Higgins who was on course to receive the trophy.
The Ted Edmonds Construc-tions Handicap was the fifth and last of the day and most jockeys followed the trend from the previous race, skirting wide after straightening. But Sophie Young, riding the five-year-old mare Subtract ($3.50), stayed hard against the running rail and cruised on the leader to a clear 2¾ lengths victory. In the process, she demonstrated the track provided a fair racing surface and held up to the rain well.
Subtract, Young, and Gunnedah trainer Sally Torrens all previously combined to win at Dubbo and Tamworth, so it was a girl power hat-trick to make it three in a row.
Torrens had been a leading harness racing trainer for many years, and has had a phenomenal start in the thoroughbred industry. She has won seven races from her first 26 starters, with the promise of more to come.
The Hunter & North West Racing Association has announced it will honour Inverell’s Bede Thomas by naming its annual services to racing award after him. Mr Thomas died earlier this year after a giving many years of service to Inverell racing and sports clubs.
The winner for 2014 award will go to Cessnock-based jockey Robert Thompson, who bought up over 4000 wins during the year, more than any other Australian jockey in the history of racing. Thompson continued on his winning way with wins at Tamworth on Friday.
Thompson travelled to Brisbane on Saturday only for the meeting to be washed out, and returned to ride the Casino Cup winner Single Spirit on Sunday.
The Bede Thomas Service to Racing Award will be presented at Scone on September 26 as part of the awards for leading H&NWRA trainer, jockey and apprentice.
Inverell races again on Caulfield Cup Day October 18, following the Bundarra Cup meeting on the Saturday of the long weekend October 4.
