Sponsors Nellie Lawson, Owen Webb and Jess Holland with Cup winners Kyme and Peter Mills (second and third from left).
The Mungindi Races provided race-goers with plenty of memorable moments at the weekend.
The day featured everything from locals showing their daring fashion choices to one jockey’s promise to return for the Cup and even one old nag making a come-back.
Jockey Kayla McEwan has vowed to return to Mungindi next year after placing fourth in the Mungindi Cup.
She had come to Mungindi chasing a win in the Cup in honour of her late husband Chris McEwan, who passed away in Mungindi 13 years ago.
McEwan rode Lee Bryant trained Sinful Warrior. The gelding was favourite going into the race but unfortunately didn’t cope well with the track.
“The race went well, but (Sinful Warrior) didn’t like the hard track as he is a bit older,” McEwan said.
“He sat just behind the pace and when it came time to sprint he was reluctant to stretch out, and didn’t really get his confidence up until a bit late.
“He tried his heart out and gave me a good thrill anyway.”
McEwan said she was more determined than ever to come back and win next year.
“I’m just looking forward to 12 months’ time.”
Another strong contender in the Cup also lucked out. General Relativity, trained by Moree-based Peter Sinclair, got caught out wide and placed ninth in the race.
Sinclair said he had been hoping for a strong race after General Relativity’s recent success in the Talmoi Cup.
“All the other horses ran along the fence and he came wide which is his usual racing pattern,” Sinclair said.
“It was just the wrong pattern on the day.”
Gold Buckle, trained by Peter Mills, took out the Cup despite being the smallest horse in the field and probably the oldest at 11 years.
Rumour has it he has made a few returns from retirement now.
Mungindi Jockey Club secretary Janelle Lawson said it was one of the highlights of the day.
He was followed in by Cash in a Hurry at second and Zeeyajimi in third.
Sinclair’s mare Lady Cinnamon kept up her consistent top two placing with a second place in the Benchmark 45 Handicap 1000m.
“I was really happy with her. She only just got beaten by a horse coming up the inside,” he said.
“This means she’s had two wins and two seconds from four stars.”
Ree ‘N’ Trav, also trained by Sinclair, raced well and placed eighth but will now be retired.
Nathan Sinclair’s Sally Supreme placed seventh in the 1200m Benchmark 45 Handicap, and fellow Moree trainer Peter Blanch’s horse Silvan Prince placed third.
“He came off a long break and I was pretty happy with how he raced,” Blanch said.
“The tight track didn’t suit him so well but we’re hoping he’ll improve his run with more races.”
Lawson said the race day had been fantastic with perfect weather.
A crowd of about 700 to 800 people attended the races, slightly up from last year’s meet.
Fashions on the Field was hotly contested with the best dressed lady award going to Cindy Scriven, best dressed male was Neil Slack-Smith and the millinery award went to Jenni Ison.
The “E” award for fashion, which is in memory of Elle Harrison, was awarded to Genevieve Head.
