Emma Pritchard
Heavy rainfall prior to the commencement of the Clarence River Jockey Club’s (CRJC) February 10 race meeting failed to wash away the enthusiasm of punters as close to 90 starters lined up across the eight-race program.
A short-priced favourite in a field of debutants, two-year-old filly One Kind attracted plenty of interest from racegoers in Race 1, the Prestige Wedding and Event Hire 2YO Handicap over 1006m, after parading well in the mounting yard as the rain pelted down.
Jumping smartly from an inside draw, One Kind settled at the rear of the six-horse field under experienced hoop Raymond Spokes, who speared the daughter of Sebring Sun through a gap along the rails inside the final 200m to record a determined win over Sparkingly and Cosmic Fortune.
Trained in Wyong by Allan Kehoe, One Kind backed up a solid trial last month at her first race start, with stable representative John Grace describing her as a filly who has shown ability from day one.
Following a track downgrade to a Soft 6, Gold Coast trainer Kacy Fogden cheered home a stable quinella in Race 2, the Ken Gill Painter Class 2 Handicap over 1006m when Your Too Good and Majorelle were first and second past the post, while astute Coffs Harbour trainer Donna Grisedale had plenty of reasons to celebrate after her consistent galloper Powder Man defied a wide barrier to unleash a strong run down the outside of the field to record a well deserved win at his fifth career start in Race 3, the All Office and Business Country Boosted 3YO And Up Maiden Plate over 1106m.
Punters were left lamenting after the $1.55 favourite Let Rip failed to fire in Race 4, the Big River Air Maiden Plate, with the three-year-old son of Merchant Navy sluggishly cantering home at the rear of the 12-horse field while 11/1 shot Mr Monegasque took home the spoils as the sunshine returned to Grafton.
Fogden trained her second winner of the meeting when Media Scandal scored a brilliant victory in Race 5, the Cansdell Signs Class 1 Handicap with the three-year-old filly relishing the 1406m over the open circuit.
The final race on the program Race 8, the Remembering Ally Ryan Open Handicap, drew an impressive field of contenders including star locals Tara Jasmine and Miss Super, and quality gallopers Hauraki Gulf and Hodgson.
One of the last to leave the barriers, Tara Jasmine rallied strongly in the home straight under the urging of Teagan Harrison to finish third, but consistent speedster Miss Super proved too strong, winning the last race by a long head on the line from Hodgson.
The CRJC will host their next race meeting on March 5.