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By Colin Hodges

Those who sponsored the race and attended a trackside reunion at Cowra on Saturday were in high spirits when their former classmate Mathew Cahill won the St Raphael’s Class Of 83 Handicap on Hez Golden.

Remaining friends over the 40 years since their schooldays, the group was in full cry when Mathew Cahill and the Gary Nickson, Warwick Farm-trained Hez Golden entered the home straight with a good lead.

Both the lead and the cheering increased as Hez Golden ($2.30 favourite) cleared out to win the 950m Class 1 Handicap by over 6 lengths from Gunnerside (Dylan Stanley, $6) and Sauce Dragon (Andrew Banks, $6).

Jockey Mathew Cahill was a popular winner in the St Raphael’s Class of 1983 School Reunion Class Handicap at Cowra. Image by Cowra Jockey Club

Cowra had not raced for well over 12 months due to the devastating flood which caused huge damage to the racecourse last spring and it was pleasing to see Cowra Jockey Club back hosting a successful meeting.

Appropriately, a local galloper, trainer and jockey won the opening event, the 950m Fleming’s Real Estate Cowra Class 1 Handicap.

Ridden by Mathew Cahill, the Barry Wall-trained Yael’s Delight ($3) led throughout to score by almost 2 lengths from Morezmo (Pierre Boudvillain, $1.80 fav) and Her Call (Nyssa Burrell, $13).

Bathurst trainer Roy McCabe continued a successful start to the season when Bayeaux (Tony Cavallo, $1.80) had a charmed run behind the leaders before beating Sallista (Andrew Banks, $2.60) and Sogeri (Pierre Boudvillain, $3.50) in the 1100m AJP Contracting Maiden Plate.

The well named Stockholm was a runaway winner of the 1375m Cowra Dental-Tooth Hurty Maiden Plate for Dubbo trainer Clint Lundholm. Stockholm was produced by the mare Abba, named after the famous Swedish pop group.

Taking the lead soon after the start, Stockholm (Ronald Simpson, $1.60 fav) cruised home over 6 lengths clear of Ten Feathers (Pierre Boudvillain, $5) with another 6+ lengths to the third-placed Hurling (Clayton Gallagher, $6).

Relishing the heavy track, the Garry Lunn, Dubbo-trained Jarmanagic (Zoe Hunt, $3.50) returned to form when coming from fourth to beat Captain Corelli (Pierre Boudvillain, $5) and Serene Shadow (Ronald Simpson, $2.50 fav) in the 1100m Reilly Daley’s 10 years at Cowra Motors Benchmark 50 Handicap.

After 51 years service as a committee member and veterinary surgeon for Cowra Jockey Club, David Payton officiated for the final time on Saturday at Cowra.

In recognition of this remarkable achievement the last race was named the David Payton Retires-Benchmark 50 Handicap and run over 1700m. Jin Chi Phantom took the lead from Go Ellie Go approaching the home turn with Zounile and Little Complicated in prominent positions.

Producing a strong run down the outside from midfield, the Kylie Kennedy, Narromine-trained Ready Made Doll (Clayton Gallagher, $8) won by three lengths from Broo Boss (Nyssa Burrell, $12) which came from near last while Zounile (Zoe Hunt, $2.80 fav) battled on for third.

* Mudgee Cup Day is on Friday with Narromine to race next Tuesday (5th December).