Makeadane had a brilliant inside run out of about fourth to steal the show and win by half-a-length over the New Zealand runner Almost Court in the $50,000 Bega Cup headline race. 

It was just one ride of 15 across two days for the Sapphire Coast Turf Club with prizes totalling $430,000 in a showcase meeting for the region. 

The weekend featured “A staggering amount of prize money, quality horses, amazing trainers and  masses of people,” says race promoter Jess Ryan. 

The feature win was a highlight of the weekend for jockey, Loy, who had already ridden one winner on Sunday and placed second in two earlier runs.

Loy had ridden Manzana to the win in race five before going on to win the headline event. 

However, there was another race of sorts unfolding on the Sunday showcase as riders Noel Callow and Jessica Payne traded victories with the three jockeys combined claiming a monopoly of the results. 

Callow opened the wins, riding Saycanyousee in race one – relegating Loy to second place, but Payne fired right back with the win in race two on number five, Don’t Play Around. 

Race three went to Callow on Not Bossy, again with Loy in the runner-up spot. 

Payne levelled the odds again with a race four win on the New Zealand-trained He Eckscels, then took the prize money in race six with Meridian Star. 

Callow matched up once more, winning race eight with both riders taking three wins apiece after he rode City of Kirkwall to a solid result in the last. 

Richard Laming was the sole trainer to secure two wins on Sunday with Payne riding both his winners. 

Topping the leaderpool from day one on Saturday had been Shaun Guymer and apprentice Patrick Scorse, who claimed a pair each, while Loy secured his third result for the weekend. 

The track was in flawless condition for the runners with a Good 4 rating across both days. 

Ms Ryan said it was a phenomenal meet for the Bega Cup Carnival with glorious weather across both days of competition. 

Off the field, punters were treated to a smattering of food, with gourmet hot dogs and tacos up for grabs as well as freshly shucked oysters available on Sunday.

Earlier on Saturday, the club had officially opened their new stables in a champagne ceremony and racegoers were welcomed to tour the new facility. 

Off the track there was even more competition with fashions on the field held on Sunday. Organisers commended some snappy-dressed youngsters and couples, while  Merimbula’s Cassandra Ambrose took out the coveted SERA regional qualifier and will represent the region in Goulburn.