$30,000 Canola Cup one for the ages

Harness racing’s Canola Cup at Eugowra on Monday (Oct. 3) was one for the ages.

After two years of missing the carnival in the idyllic central west town due to Covid-19, the feature on New South Wales’ harness racing calendar returned in a blaze of glory, aided by perfect weather, a huge crowd, and an afternoon of first-class pacing.

But the day and the carnival belonged to Bathurst champion Amanda Turnbull, who notched up an astonishing nine wins from the 19 races that were run there over the past fortnight.

Her crowning glory was the win by Racing Time (Racing Hill) in the $30,000 Kriden Farms Canola Cup when the colt led throughout to score by two and a half metres.

The three-year-old also earned his connections a $15,000 bonus for being Australian-bred, which was graciously received by Queensland owner-breeder Stephen Clements, who made the long trip south to witness his pacer’s victory.

After going into the race quietly confident, Turnbull made a bird of it with her controlled front-running drive, snaring a leisurely 61.7s first half of the mile before ramping things up with a 57.3s final half to defeat Mach Assassin and outsider Lulu Lucifer.

“I did come here today feeling confident after gaining the good draw and then knowing my fellow was happy in himself all week,” said Turnbull.

“He felt keen when we got to the track, so I knew it was our race to win.

“I wanted this colt so badly as a yearling that I almost begged my father Steve to give him to me . . . and I am so glad that he did.

“It has taken me some time to sort this bloke out, but I now feel he has turned the corner and I can look forward to mapping out his future, which looks pretty bright.”

RACING TIME REPLAY

The Eugowra Club honoured three of its stalwarts on Monday with races named after them and Amanda won two of them, first there was the Kenny Sharp Memorial with Allstarzzz Frankie and then she also took the Don Tildsley Memorial aboard Fasika.

The John Greenhalgh Memorial was taken out by Shoulda Passed for Bernie Hewitt, wearing the racing silks of another of Eugowra’s favourite sons, the late Mark Rawsthorne.

For complete race results, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW