Coast celebrates Cushion Track Cup
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A happy Dale Evans unsaddles Malta after their Equestrian Surfaces Cushion Track Cup win (Ross Stevenson photo)
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A new era in Queensland racing was unveiled on April 6 when the Sunshine Coast Cushion Track officially opened to the public and more importantly to the racing fraternity.
The day was pegged to be big when days earlier 301 nominations were received leading to a 10-race program with full fields.
Showers threatened early in the day and then again in the last race but the 3477 strong crowd weren’t disappointed with a spectacular day of racing and sunshine.
Families found a spot on the grass to enjoy the day with the kiddies making the most of the jumping castle, pony rides, face painting and a host of other activities.
The day also raised funds in aid of the Energex Community Rescue Helicopter and over $5,500 was raised for the service including a donation from Queensland Racing Limited presented to Sunshine Coast Turf Club committeeman and Chairman of the Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service Don Moffatt. The fundraising was a big success for the group and will help out greatly.
Several guests attended Corbould Park to celebrate the historical opening including Queensland Treasurer, the Honourable Andrew Fraser MP, new Sunshine Coast Regional Council Mayor Bob Abbot, and several new Sunshine Coast Regional Councillors.
The highlight of the day though was of course the feature race, the Equestrian Surfaces Cushion Track Cup Open Handicap 1400m.
It was taken out by the galloper Malta in his 70th start. Trainer Robert Heathcote was impressed by the win and the synthetic surface. “It’s a special privilege to stand here today on such a momentous day in the history of Queensland racing,” he said after the win.
“They’ll (the owners) will be absolutely delighted because Malta’s just bought so much joy and entertainment to us. Full credit to everybody, it’s a great innovation to racing and it certainly is a great privilege to win this race today.”
“Malta’s a horse that’s never been on this surface in his life but the fact that my other horses were confident on it that gave me the confidence to bring him up here. He’s run right up to his form and had a very good strong win.”
Malta (G8 Youthful Legs USA-Celestial Model) travelled mid-field and got right through them at around the last 150 metres where he fought off several challengers to win.
Ridden by jockey Dale Evans, they finished three quarters of a length ahead of Tropical Express (Jason Taylor) who beat out Masai Pride (Ken Pope) in a photo finish by a short head.
“I probably ended up about seventh, one off with quite a nice run because they went pretty hard. They bunched up about the 600 metre mark and I was opting to come off…I decided to wait and I was held up for most of the straight until about 100 out where I was able to get a gap and he really sprinted to the line and was never really going to get beat,” said Evans.
“A lot of horses on the speed have been winning but that horse just got back off them. He was only three or four lengths off the leader in the turn and he did finish well. It has played pretty even, most of the leaders have won all day but a couple have come behind and either finished in the placings. Also that horse won from behind so it is probably pretty even for the day.”
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Hollie Roberts – April 10
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