Shoeless has taken out the 2024 Mulwala Waterski Club Yarrawonga Cup at Benalla Racecourse, triumphing by just shy of two lengths from runner-up Mischinka on Sunday, November 10.
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Ridden by Jackie Beriman and trained by Shawn Mathrick, the four-year-old gelding settled into sixth after the first 400 metres before moving up through the pack at half distance.
As the field rounded the bend into the straight Beriman took Shoeless to the outside, going three-wide and taking the lead with 400 metres to go, and holding on from the fast-finishing Mischinka to send the connections into raptures trackside.
The win was perhaps only overshadowed by the triumph of Flitgrove in race one, which has come to be a part of the Benalla community after Malua Racing’s Troy Corstens offered up two five per cent shares in the filly for an auction at Benalla Saints Football Netball Club, which were purchased by Colin Sinclair and Sam Symes for their children.
It was a maiden win for Flitgrove in its third start, ridden by Lachlan King, with Corstens eyeing off a metro start next up at Moonee Valley for the promising filly.
Wangaratta-based trainer Craig Weeding had a winner with Via Vegas in race two, while race three saw Seymour father and son duo Lee and Shannon Hope salute with Ourania, which also formed the first of Beriman’s two winning rides on the day.
King also rode a double, steering Expeetee to the win for Mansfield trainer Gerald Egan in race four, while local trainer Peter Burgun rounded out the winners, with Moonbird first past the post in race five, ridden by Mitchell Aitken.
There’s just one race day remaining on the calendar at Benalla for 2025, although it promises to be a big one, with the Living Here Benalla Christmas Party Race Day on December 14 set to kick off the festive period with a bang.