Liv Osborne said farewell to 2024 with a win at Corowa on December 28, as Pretty Penguin won narrowly after leading virtually the entire 1200m.
It continued a happy association with the Corowa track for the five-year-old mare, whose most recent win prior came at the same venue over 1000m in November.
Geoff Brunsdon was among the winners on New Year’s Day, bagging a double at Merton with Persuasive Star and Enough War, both ridden by Shaun Cooper.
Persuasive Star kicked things off in the first race of the day with a dominant showing over 1150m, jumping well and gapping the field to win by three lengths and secure a maiden victory at its 44th start.
Things only got better for Brunsdon in race four, when Enough War saluted over the mile in a thrilling battle with second-placed Bulletproof.
Having jumped well and surged to an early lead, Enough War looked likely to fade with a few hundred metres to go as it slipped to second behind Bulletproof, only to switch to the outside as they entered the home straight and charge home to win by a nose to again grab a maiden win.
Peter Donnelly didn’t miss out on New Year’s Day either, with Adare Manor, ridden by Connor Murtagh, getting up for a superb win over 2400m at Hanging Rock.
In the final race of the day, Adare Manor jumped well and settled into its work on the rail behind leader Gymkerrie, and would stay there for much of the opening 1800m, before moving up and unleashing an impressive turn of speed in the home straight to win by a length from Tavabeel.
Benalla Racing Club will be hoping the plethora of local wins continues into Sunday, January 19, when the club hosts its Kids’ Day Out meet.
With free entry for kids and plenty of activities to keep them entertained, such as the Kahuna Water Slide and free pony rides, as well as a bumper seven-race program that promises plenty of on-track action, it is almost guaranteed to be a brilliant outing.