Harley’s Cup Wrap

Harley Walden

By Harley Walden

The weather proved a warm favourite at the recent Scone Cup Carnival as the large crowds that attended both days racing enjoyed the unusually autumn weather.

Home town product Peter Snowden equalled a record that has stood for forty five years when he teamed-up with son Paul to win this year’s Scone Cup with Pajaro.

The record number of Cup wins is now shared with Gunnadah trainer the late Arthur Gore.

A late pick-up ride on the Cup winner by Tim Clark, after Winona Costin took ill on the morning of the race gave Clark a unique double, on Saturday teaming-up with Newcastle trainer Kris Lees to win the Dark Jewel Quality Handicap aboard the well supported Danish Twist.

Peter Snowden, trainer of Pajaro the 2016 Scone Cup winner.

Team Snowden finished the Carnival on a high note when Serene Majesty was set-up beautifully to peak on the right day landing some confident bets to take out the $400,000 Inglis 3yo Guineas.

The win by Barbass in the Inglis 2YO Challenge (1100m) showed why it pays to shop at the annual Scone Yearling Sale.

The winner was offered at last year sale by Guntawang Stud and was picked-up by Mudgee trainer Cameron Crockett for a modest $4000.

Barbass by Benfica from the Strategic Misasio mare has now won $90,350 in prizemoney.

Scone trainer Greg Bennett kept the flag flying for the locals with the Championship winner Clearly Innocent wearing down the Stradbroke Handicap Music Magnate to win the Listed Luskin Star Stakes by half length.

Now a Listed winner Clearly Innocent will head for a spring campaign in Melbourne.

Bennett’s other runner, All Summer Long, a pre-race casualty before the Championship final, showed by his win in Isuzu Ute Scone Handicap over the 1100m scamper on Saturday, barring his injury, he would have been right in the mix in the Randwick final.

Cup Day at Scone proved quite an eventual day, jockeys were breath-tested and asked to give urine samples when they arrived at the track.

The recent Warrnambool carnival saw Damien Oliver fail a blood-alcohol test and Racing NSW took every precaution on Friday to ensure the safety of the meeting.

On the brighter side of things the family McIntyre Gold Whip presented to the most successful jockey over the carnival was won by Sydney horseman James McDonald.