By Stephen Senise
THOROUGHBRED racing action returns to Murwillumbah today for the Tweed River Jockey Club’s (TRJC) second meeting since the horses got a year older on August 1st.
At the jockey club’s 2013/14 season opener earlier this month, locally trained mare I’m Adamant easily took out the feature 1530m MR Sales cup.
Prepared on-course by Matt Dunn and ridden by Glen Colless, the five year old streaked away down the straight to win in front of about a thousand patrons.
Today’s meeting will feature a 1200m Benchmark 60 handicap and a 1530 Benchmark 55 handicap, plus five other events. In all, $105,000 in prizemoney is up for grabs, with another $63,000 in BOBS breeding bonuses available for eligible runners. The meeting will be covered by the TAB and a strong bookmakers ring will be operating on-course.
TRJC secretary-manager Rachael Elliott said she was pleased by another enthusiastic response from trainers and owners.
“We had over 140 horses nominated, and that’s pretty big.
“Last meeting we had a Murwillumbah class record established in the feature race, and that’s a testament to the racing we enjoy here.
“The track is treat at the moment – we had optimal conditions last time including a racing surface rated a Good 3 which is always welcome these days anywhere in northern New South Wales.
“As it currently stands, we’ve advised RISA (Racing Information Services Australia) we’ve got a track rating of Good 2 on our hands, and it doesn’t get much faster than that.”
After today, racing will return to Murwillumbah on Melbourne Cup day, Tuesday 5 November.
