With racing returning to Grafton on Tuesday with a massive seven race card. lets have a look how our locals have been going in the early part of the season.
Coffs Harbour Cup day started well for the Greg Kilner yard when the ever consistent Kennysing scored a huge win in the Mercer Mile 1600m.
Ridden by Ben Looker who will be the first to tell you Kennysing is a bit of a thinker settled just off the pace before Looker dashed through a gap near the 200m and although floating near the line Kennysing was too strong in the $50K feature.
Casino Cup Day was our next port of call with two Grafton trainers finding their way to the winners enclosure.
First to celebrate was John Shelton when Enterprise Phoenix came from midfield to score a big win in the BM 50 1900m.
Ridden by Matt McGuren Enterprise Phoenix settled on the fence with McGuren saving every inch of ground to work into clear air below the 300m to race away and win with some authority.
Grafton’s newest trainer Tony Newing was next to win when again under the guidance of Matt McGuren Coastal Raider came from near the rear of the field on the home turn to win.
Although well back McGuren never hit the panic button and saved ground on the fence before moving to a run wider on the track at the 100m with Coastal Raider finding enough to win.
It was the first winner for the Newing yard since relocating to Grafton during the July Carnival.
Fleur Blanch had to win the Maiden 1300m at Ballina twice last Tuesday once on the track and once in the stewards room when Transceltic Anthony Allen led throughout to score.
Many were stunned when the protest siren sounded as Transceltic had led from barrier rise by a closer look at the replay showed a bump on the home turn that was worthy of investigation.
In the end the stewards formed the view that the interference had not changed the result and a relieved Blanch was finally able to celebrate.
The win continues a wonderful relationship between Blanch and Allen who has now ridden 14 of the stables 25 winners.
