“GAME as Ned Kelly” – is how Taree trainer Michael Byers described the tough win of five-year-old mare Who Is Game ($8 to $5) in a new race record in the $20,000 Wingham Services Club Wingham Cup (1600m) at Taree.
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The mare snatched victory right on the line to deny Port Macquarie five-year-old gelding Star Of Legs ($15), trained by Tas Morton,an overdue win, it running second at its last three starts.
Right in the mix a head away in third was Gosford gelding Randiki, trained by Kylie Gavenlock, it being the favourite at $3.20 for Hall Of Fame jockey Robert Thompson.
Who Is Game got back further in the field than expected and it took a well-timed run by jockey Grant Buckley to just grab Star Of Legs,which was a couple of lengths in front in the straight and looked likely to win.
Buckley said he didn’t know the finish result as “I had my head down and my tail up.”
The mare’s win smashed the race record by nearly two seconds, it having been set 16 years ago.
Some of the pain of a knee reconstruction done in hospital a fortnight ago was eased in the euphoria of the win for Byers, who said he would celebrate at home with a few beers. He said the mare, owned by Harrington and Taree residents, was brave and “gave all her heart.
“My staff have done a wonderful job while I have been in hospital,’’ Byers added.
“The mare has done a good job this preparation (two wins and numerous placings) and will go for a spell tomorrow.”
It was Byers fourth win in the Wingham Cup, others being Mondial Dame, Our Mister Axeman and Cut A Caper.
Meanwhile Gosford trainer Grant Allard and jockey Thomas Huet combined for a winning double with Belle Voleur ($6.50 to $3.60) in the Taree Cup Weekend—August 19 & 21 Country Class 1 Plate over 1600m and all-the-way winner mare Run Sally Run ($4.80) in the Winning Post Function Centre Benchmark 65 Handicap over 1000m. Racing returns to Bushland Drive Racecourse on Thursday June 16, for a TAB card for Taree Wingham Race Club.
