Into the record books

THE Limestone Coast Thoroughbred Racing Horse of the Year awards have been in existence for 22 years.

Originally, there was just one award but it was divided into two divisions 16 years ago, with one award for performances anywhere and the other for local performances only.

In that time, no horse has won both awards in the same season.

Until now.

Last Sunday at the LCTR 2022-23 awards luncheon, the Trevor White trained Clever Man got the judge’s nod for both prizes.

It was an easy decision for the judging panel of the award for performances anywhere, as Clever Man had three wins, four seconds and two thirds from 13 starts in the season just completed for stakemoney earnings of $167,925.

Wins in the Onkaparinga and Mount Gambier Cups along with seconds in the Port Adelaide and Strathalbyn Cups made him the standout performer, ahead of Hasta La War.

It was a far closer call for the award for local performances where there were seven finalists and Clever Man won narrowly from the much-improved pair of Fast ‘N’ Forward and Goliotus.

Around 60 people attended the function at the Naracoorte racecourse where media man and retired racecaller Terry McAuliffe was the guest speaker.

Guests travelled from as far afield as Adelaide, Murray Bridge and Meningie, including LCTR life member Bruce Jaensch who commented “crowds at this function are diminishing and hopefully these industry days can keep going”.

McAuliffe gave an excellent spiel and had the crowd in the palm of his hand as he recalled his career not only as a racecaller, but also as a commentator for athletics, AFL football, soccer, basketball and even judo at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in London.

Presentations of the four local premierships were made where local jockey Jacob Opperman won the apprentice’s title for the third successive year.

“I had a slow start to the season with the first few months spent in Melbourne,” Opperman told the audience.

“As far as my weight is concerned, I can get down easily to 54 kilograms, no problems, and it is getting harder to pick up rides with so many jockeys coming through the ranks.

“Nadia Horne, who is based in Melbourne, is my manager but it was Mum and Dad who organised my rides when I started out.

“More recently, Gawler trainer Aaron Bain has been a good supporter of mine and I am going to Moonee Valley this weekend (tomorrow) to ride Metro Legend for him.”

Opperman opened the new racing season in good fashion with a winner at Murray Bridge last Saturday.

That was for Morphettville trainer Jon O’Connor aboard Left Hand Man ($9.50) which resumed from an eight-month spell to win the 1200-metre BM 68 handicap.

OFF TO A GOOD START

NARACOORTE trainer Sue Murphy wasted no time getting into the winner’s enclosure at the first metropolitan meeting of the new racing season at Murray Bridge last Saturday.

Her eight-year-old gelding Hasta La Fiorente ($8) chalked up his third city win with an easy 3.75 length victory in the 2500-metre BM 76 handicap with Dominic Tourneur in the saddle.

Hasta La Fiorente has been a good money spinner for his connections with almost $300,00 in the kitty from his 10 wins, eight seconds and 10 thirds from 55 starts.

In the 2022-23 racing season just completed, there were 15 Limestone Coast trained metropolitan winners, two more than the previous season but well down on 2020-2021 when there were 30 local winners.

In the season just completed, Millicent-based mentor Dean Saxon had the most city winners (three), marginally in front of Michael O’Leary, Sue Murphy, Richard Wilson and Jeff Searle, all with two winners.

There were 14 cups won by Limestone Coast trained gallopers including five throughout country Victoria, the pinnacle being two $100,000 cups namely the Port Adelaide (Hasta La War) and Onkaparinga Cups (Clever Man).

DOUBLE FOR O’LOUGHLIN

THERE was a real Mount Gambier flavour at Casterton gallops last Saturday where we figured in four of the seven winners.

Trainer Belinda O’Loughlin stole the limelight with a double, both at good odds, to kick start the new racing season

A bold, front running ride by Paul Gatt enabled The Psychologist ($8-$12) to win his first race at start number 22 in the 1800-metre maiden.

It was the five-year-old gelding’s seventh run for O’Loughlin since transferring from the Robbie Lang (Victoria) stable earlier this year.

Her double was completed in the 1400-metre 0-58 handicap when Loose Lip Lloyd ($4.80-$6) made it two wins from three starts this preparation.

With 2kg claiming apprentice Jaylah Kennedy in the saddle, Loose Lip Lloyd came from mid field at the halfway mark to win his sixth race and take his career earnings through the $100,000 barrier.

It came as no shock to see the Jason Post trained Teemenzed return to the winner’s list in the 1800-metre 0-58 handicap.

Anyone who saw Teemenzed’s fast finishing third at Casterton at the July meeting in a similar type of race would have been keen to back him last Saturday.

On this occasion, Teemenzed ($6) raced closer to the lead for jockey Neil Farley and defied the challengers all the way up the straight.

There were four Limestone Coast trained runners in the 11-horse race and they duly filled the first four placings.

Mount Gambier jockey Kate Walters had the ride on the Kelvin Bourke (Geelong) trained Alassak ($2.90 fav.) in the 1100-metre 0-58 handicap and led all the way on the 10-year-old gelding who had also won at Casterton in late July.

Her win was tempered by stewards who suspended Walters for eight meetings for excessive use of the whip on Aeroette later in the program.

Walters, who can resume riding on August 14, pleaded guilty to the charge and was also fined $200.

AGM ON MONDAY

LOCAL trotting followers are reminded the AGM for the Mount Gambier Harness Racing Club is next Monday night (August 14) at 7.30pm in the A & H committee room at the Greenway Paceway.

It will include election of office bearers for the upcoming season, a financial report from last season and an update on harness racing within South Australia.

Naracoorte trainer Greg Scholefield continued on his winning way in Adelaide with another winner at Globe Derby Park last Sunday evening.

Hanging Fire ($1.60 fav.) made it five wins from his past six starts with an all-the-way win in the 1800-metre NR 70 pace.

DOUBLE WHAMMY ON SUNDAY

THERE is racing in close proximity to both sides of the border this Sunday.

The Bordertown Racing Club has been rewarded with excellent nominations for its seven-race program.

The same afternoon Coleraine racecourse comes out of hibernation for the first of two meetings for the new season.

Sunday is its annual jumping meeting with three hurdle races and the $60,000 Great Western steeplechase on the seven-race card.