AN enthusiastic crowd was on hand for the Merimbula Cup race meet at the Sapphire Coast Turf Club on Friday.
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Quichang was the big winner on the day taking home the prize from the $20,000 feature race, the Merimbula RSL Club Cup.
Meanwhile, club secretary/manager Rob Tweedie said he was delighted the bad weather stayed away.
“The Merimbula Cup went off without the predicted thunderstorms,” Tweedie said.
He said he was also pleased with the attendance, given the race meet was on a Friday.
“The crowd was good, it’s a Friday afternoon so we don’t expect huge crowds, but a lot of people knocked off and came out for the afternoon.
“There were probably 400 or so,” he said.
Apprentice jockey Jason Devrimol rode Quichang to victory in the main event and also secured a win in the Sapphire Office Services 1000 metre sprint.
Riding the race’s second-favourite Rustle of Silk, Tweedie said Devrimol was in the back before making a dash for the line.
“Devrimol was stuck behind horses early in the straight and punters that took the short odds would have been holding their breath.
“He pushed clear and nailed the second favourite right on the line,” he said.
Devrimol is making a name for himself after also winning the Bega Cup recently.
Tweedie said it was a great effort for an apprentice jockey.
“He won the Merimbula Cup – so he’s won that and the Bega Cup, he’s doing well for an apprentice.”
Meanwhile, talented rider Winona Costin also picked up a double win.
“The young girl rode two winners again,” Tweedie said.
The Ray Wheatley trained All Giving won the Leigh Hardingham Plate (see story left), while Kalaru trainer Grant Bobbin had some success with Arctic Reign finishing third in the Sapphire Coast Regional Airport 1000 metre sprint.
Chris and Michelle Strickland had Sebony in the fray for the Merimbula Cup, but unfortunately for them he was caught behind the pack.