It was all part of the major Gunsynd 50 year celebration weekend.
The six race program highlighted the strength of the female ranks with all six winners taken out by lady jockeys.
Racing commenced under clear skies but as the afternoon progressed, the threat of the predicted storms became evident and stewards moved races forward 5 minutes to ensure the program was completed.
The first race was the Knights Plant Hire Class B Handicap over 1200 meters and the heavily backed Tycoon Jim proved too strong under hard riding by Jodi Worley. Worley is one of the hardest working jockeys in the game and travels from Grafton to Goondiwindi to ride in races and never comes to Goondiwindi without winning at least one race. The Toowoomba-trained Jet Spinner led all the way only to be pipped on the post with Dark Origins showing she is not far off winning another race.
Local hero, Fitzroy Boy gave nothing else a chance in the Black Truck Benchmark 60 and kept and the successful partnership of Lilli Barr, Barry Sheppard and Fitzroy Boy continued. In a barrier to box display, Fitzroy Boy was very short price with $1.80 the best price bet. Phionaix was a gallant second and Joey Laws third but it was really a no contest.
After winning a "no race" at the picnics a fortnight ago, Gertie Goer proved too strong for Missy's Ready and Red Shiraz in the Ron Glasser Fencing QTIS Maiden Plate. Gertie Goer is trained by the Geran stable and was ridden by another great supporter of Gunsynd Park in Emily Lang.
Emily Lang made it a double with the Pat Webster-trained Miss Cinnamoncider in the Thanks Tappy Band 58 Handicap when she made it two from two at Gunsynd Park. Miss Cinnamoncider opened favourite but eased slightly after there was strong support for The Defiant One but after an easy lead, Miss Cinnamoncider held off Contessa Nile with Abb Roy back in third place.
The feature event was the Vern Kleinschmidt Community Trust Goondiwindi Cup and a very even field of horses took part in the Cup. Oakfield Target was the early favourite and was solid in running third but another Toowoomba galloper in Tintinwin gave promising apprentice Shania Willis the first leg of a double in the two Cups. Tintinwin finished strongly and just held off a determined finish from River Mac with Oakfield Target in third. The track by now was downgraded to a Good 4 and before the last, it was further downgraded to a soft 5.
The Battlers Cup over 1800 was the last of the day and Bartalumba had put the writing on the wall at the picnics a fortnight ago but Kellie Monckton and the Warwick-trained Boult came along to spoil the party under steady riding from Shania Willis. Boult got an easy lead and while it looked like Bartalumba would go straight past him, Boult would not give in and proved too strong with Package in third.
And, so ended another great day's racing at Gunsynd Park. Special guest John Tapp was taken by the facilities and the enthusiasm Goondiwindi has for Country Racing.
Next meeting will be the Inglewood Cup and Goondiwindi Retailers race day on Saturday June 3, which is always a great day out.
