Latest News

By Colin Hodges

With the task getting harder at every start, Elson Boy keeps responding to the challenge and the outstanding front-runner made it four successive wins when taking out the 1400m Gooree Cup on Sunday at Mudgee.

Unplaced in the first nine starts, the 4yo gelding has undergone an amazing transformation under Dubbo trainer Dar Lunn.

Elson Boy (Tommy Berry) after winning at Coonamble. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)

Owned by Guy Mitchell from Binnaway and Rob Pratten from Dubbo, Elson Boy has now won seven races and the recent winning sequence has included a Benchmark 58 Handicap at Dubbo, the $150,000 WRA Country Championship Qualifier at Coonamble, the Diggers Cup at Narromine and the Gooree Cup.

Ridden by apprentice Chelsea Hillier at Mudgee, Elson Boy jumped from barrier 12 in the 13-horse field and crossed quickly to lead on the rails.

In the straight, Elson Boy ($3.10 into $2.45 favourite) in a brilliant display of sustained speed shot away to win by almost four lengths from Nitride (Grant Buckley, $9) and Red Beryl (Kelsey Lenton, $41).

Earlier the Dar Lunn-trained Saint Philomena was a game second to the Bjorn Baker, Warwick Farm-trained debut maker Unleeshing in the 1100m 2yo Handicap.

Raced by the My Racehorse syndicate, Unleeshing (Ashley Morgan, $1.80 to $2.20 fav) had won a barrier trial at Rosehill and looked well above average when sweeping down the outside from near the tail of the field to overhaul Saint Philomena (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $9) at Mudgee.

Leading jockey Aaron Bullock with classy rides landed a winning double on D’Oro Choice and De Forerunner.

From well back in the 2000m Gooree Park Wine Benchmark 58 Handicap, Bullock sent the Alison Smith, Orange-trained D’Oro Choice around the field to lead from the halfway point.

Displaying good staying potential, D’Oro Choice ($2.80 fav) kept going strongly to beat Weave That Web (Shae Wilkes, $3.10) and Apple Cider (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $12).

Backing up from a good third in the Bathurst Soldier's Saddle won by Fletchlo, the Dean Mirfin, Bathurst-trained De Forerunner ($3 fav) was given a charmed run behind the leaders by Aaron Bullock before winning the 1100m Newgate Country Boosted Class 3 Handicap from Allay (Ashley Morgan, $21) and Destiny’s Bounty (Shae Wilkes, $6.50).

The other winners were the David Smith, Mudgee-trained Commando Jack (Coriah Keatings, $4.60 to $3.20), Sydney Gal (Jean Van Overmeire, $4.60 fav) trained at Goulburn by Geoff Crothers and Imperioness (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $5) from the Cameron Crockett stable at Scone.

Racing on Saturday is at Brewarrina (Cup) and Cootamundra while the Parkes Cup is on Sunday.