Emma Pritchard

There was plenty of sunshine and an abundance of enthusiasm trackside on June 10, when the Clarence River Jockey Club (CRJC) hosted their final race meeting ahead of the 2023 July Racing Carnival.

With the track rated a Heavy 8 following recent wet weather, the rail was moved out 5.5m between the 1200m and the winning post, and 4.5m for the remainder of the course proper to protect the more fragile sections of the track as 72 thoroughbreds competed across a six-race program.

The feature event of the day, Race 4, the 2023 Ulmarra Hotel “Chip In” Cup Benchmark 50 Handicap over 1725m, attracted a quality field of 10 gallopers.

And with several key chances, punters had a difficult time choosing the winner.

Trained at the Gold Coast by David and Marcus Scanes, five-year-old bay mare Big Hitter went into the race an $8.50 chance, and with four unplaced runs on heavy tracks at her previous starts, many doubted her ability to handle the conditions.

Ridden by Josh Adams, Big Hitter broke cleanly from barrier 5 and settled at the rear of the field as notable speedster Rahaan, trained locally by Shane Everson, took control of the race, and set up a comfortable lead.

As the field entered the home straight, Rahaan continued to kick strongly along the rails under the urgings of Jon Grisedale, before Big Hitter loomed large on the outside and powered to the line to win the feature event by 1.29 lengths from the fast-finishing 16/1 shot Karlu Dreaming (NZ).

Rahaan held on for third.

Following the race, her co-trainer David Scanes revealed while Big Hitter isn’t as affective on heavy going, the daughter of Group 1 winner and Melbourne Cup placegetter Criterion prefers racing over longer distances.

“I took the blinkers off her too which may have made a difference as well,” he added.

Her victory in the 2023 Ulmarra Hotel “Chip In” Cup Benchmark 50 Handicap saw Big Hitter lift her current career statistics to two wins and two minor placings from 21 starts.

In addition to watching the races on the weekend, attendees also embraced the opportunity to admire the line-up of heavy vehicles on display in the members carpark as the CRJC hosted the Grafton Truck Show and Shine, featuring a number of local trucking companies including Gordon’s Haulage, Blanchard Haulage, and Cromack Transport.

The CRJC will host their next race meeting, which will officially open the 2023 July Racing Carnival, on July 2.