Emma Pritchard
With form guides firmly in their hands, more than 350 racegoers headed trackside on January 22 when the Clarence River Jockey Club (CRJC) hosted its first race meeting for 2023, the McKimms Real Estate Race Day.
68 starters accepted across the six-race program, and with the track rated a Good 4, punters keenly went in search of an early winner as the bookies fluctuated the odds accordingly.
Talented four-year-old mare Satsara ensured backers had a favourable start to the day when the daughter of Sebring recorded a strong victory in Race 1, the Baby Teddy Country Boosted Maiden Plate over 1100m.
Following a third on debut in Ballina on December 26, the progressive chestnut broke cleanly from barrier 9 and sat just behind the speed during the early stages of the race before apprentice jockey Heidi Gillie took her to the lead as the field approached the home turn and urged her to the line to win by just under a length.
Local trainer John Shelton didn’t have to wait long to record his first winner on his home track in 2023 when he combined with Clarence Valley jockey Tegan Harrison to win Race 2, the Congratulations Angus & Amelia Howard Maiden Handicap with 20/1 shot Enterprise Phoenix.
Unplaced in its first two career starts Enterprise Phoenix defied a late betting drift to deny the short-priced favourite The Lions Gate by a long neck on the line.
Another well fancied galloper My Mate Cobber finished third.
During the post-race interview Shelton described Enterprise Phoenix as a good horse with plenty of room for improvement as the bookies celebrated the longshots success.
After well tried gallopers Byakko (USA) and Echoes Of My Mind (NZ) restored the good fortune of punters in Races 3 and 4 respectively, the focus turned to one of the feature events on the program, the McKimms Real Estate Return To Racing Handicap over 1000m.
Featuring a strong field including classy mares and equal favourites Miss Super and local hope Tara Jasmine, it was Hauraki Gulf at 6/1 who stormed down the outside under the urging of experienced hoop Stephen Traecey to take home the prize in a tight finish.
“It was an enormous effort,” Traecey said following the race.
“I wasn’t sure if we got there, it was really close at the end, but he’s a class galloper and it was a good win.
The final race of the day, the Jack & Digger Memorial Country Boosted Country Championship Preview – Class 4 Handicap over 1200m, was won by 20/1 outsider and Grafton trained galloper Fortyfive Parklane.
The CRJC will host their next race meeting on January 31.