The Tuncurry Forster Jockey Club was a scene of Christmas spirit on Monday, December 11 for the Christmas Race Day Party.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
About 850 people came through the gates, with many coming from around the Great Lakes and Manning enjoying their Christmas parties.
Tuncurry Forster Jockey Club president Garry McQuillan said the event was very successful for its first running on a Monday.
“The betting was good and there was a really good turnover,” he said.
In the day’s opening contest, Eyes to Heaven, ridden by Robert Thompson and trained by Kevin Miller, won the Wingham Chronicle three-year-old Maiden handicap.
It was Thompson’s first of five races for the day.
Salty Rain and Ms Wicked Nicci finished second and third respectively.
White Boots, ridden by Paul King and trained by Kim Waugh, took out the Fairfax Marketing Services Maiden Handicap ahead of Bowie’s Gift and Alternative Facts.
In the Mid Coast Now Maiden Plate, Juventus, ridden by Aaron Bullock and trained by Kris Lees, was victorious.
The showpiece Great Lakes Advocate Benchmark 65 Handicap was won by Wongur, ridden by Paul King and trained by Taree’s Bob Milligan.
Serious Dancer, ridden by Louise Day and trained by Jason Deamer, took out the Manning River Times Class two Handicap following an unscheduled delay.
An ambulance, which drives behind the race, had a flat battery.
Mr McQuillan said the time racing stewards did a great job of getting the event back on track.
Golden Words, ridden by Terry Treichel and trained by Julie Lynch, won the Manning Great Lakes Extra Benchmark 50 Handicap while the final race of the day, the Gloucester Advocate Class One Handicap, was won by Forever Ranga, ridden by Ben Looker and trained by Rebecca Dunn.
The race day was the club’s final for 2017.
The club will hold their first meeting of the new year on Saturday, January 20 for the Seafood Race Day.
Racing will continue at the Manning Valley Race Club on Monday, December 18 for the Hannam Vale Cup Day.