A CONFIDENT hoop and a six-year-old gelding have paired up to change the fortunes of connections by claiming an unlikely win in the 2015 Katherine Cup on August 8.
About 2400 racegoers converged on Jim Jackson Racecourse for the new-look event, which had been moved from its traditional May date in a bid to attract more nominations from trainers passing through Katherine after the Darwin Cup festival.
Punters were not disappointed with the on-track action, with 47 horses starting in six races across the afternoon.
In the feature race, Jockey David Pisani proved to be the hero of the day when he piloted the Greg Connor-trained Differing Fortunes ($9) from barrier one to secure a stunning three-and-a-half length win in the 1600-metre Katherine Cup.
The six-year-old gelding was too classy over the journey, with the Kathy Hughes-trained Darlimurla Star ($8) and Gary Clarke-trained Warrego Melody ($7.50) rounding out the trifecta.
Following the traditional stockhorse race to launch the meeting, hoop Richie Oakford claimed victory aboard Neat Feat $(3.10) in the 1100m first race, beating Backstop ($3) and the heavily-backed Red Magnet ($2).
When the field of seven jumped in the Crowhurst Engineering/Katherine Times Maiden Plate, the Neil Dyer-trained Excellent Rose ($6) lived up to her name by carrying 57 kilograms over the 1000m journey to secure the $8710 winner’s purse.
In race three, jockey Kayla Cross showed by Lean’n’Mean had been backed into $3.60 favourite by steering the four-year-old gelding to a narrow win ahead of Beedeekay ($13) and Le Commando ($8).
Alice Springs trainer Lisa Lefoe notched up her first win of the day in the 1100m Katherine Country Club Hanckel-Moffat Memorial Handicap when hoop Paul Denton took advantage of barrier one to gallop Sand of the Hour to victory.
As the excitement ahead of the Katherine Cup grew, punters were exuberant as they watched topweight Air Striker ($5) beat favourite Man Cave ($2.20) by a neck in the fifth race on the program.
After the dust settled, Katherine Turf Club president Duane Barclay said the August date would be “locked in” following the event’s overwhelming success.
An image gallery from the races can be viewed by clicking the photo below.
“It was absolutely brilliant and we’re absolutely chuffed,” he told the Katherine Times.
“The trainers have all said they were coming back next year.
“That’s what you want to hear, that these southern trainers have had a good run and a good time, won some coin and will be there next year.”
