Apprehend part-owner Glenn Tyler, right, was rapt to have the Werribee Cup in the trophy cabinet, while jockey Craig Newitt, far right, was all smiles after the race. 76345 Pictures: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Liam Twomey
FAVOURITES dominated most of Sunday’s nine race card at Werribee with punters able to get one over the bookies.
The combination of quality horses and experienced jockeys proved the difference in almost all races as Glen Boss, Dean Holland and Dwayne Dunn all rode short-priced winners.
The only moment of celebration for bookmakers came early in the day when 20-1 shot Belahi upset a nine-horse field to claim the Fashions on the Field Maiden Plate.
Punters weren’t the only happy people at the track, with Werribee Racing Club CEO Jeremy Crawford also rapt with the day’s events.
“We got the crowd we were expecting and there were no major issues on the track and everyone is having a fun time,” he said.
“The track came up really well. Obviously it was fairly dry today but we prepared it as a dead track.
“After a few hours it was upgraded to good and there are no issues from jockeys or stewards at this stage so it’s been good.”
The weekend’s festivities marked the first time the Cup had been run on a Sunday and Crawford plans to make the day even bigger in the future.
“It was our first ever Cup on a Sunday after last year being the first one ever outside of Spring.
“We will be looking to keep this Sunday of the Australia Day long weekend for a couple of years now and build it up as an annual event.”
Werribee’s next meeting will take place on Thursday 9 February with a twilight card set to greet racegoers.
