Once again the town of Lockington was baked in sunshine for one of our marquee races, the Coolabah Turf Lockington Handicap with the fantastic conditions ensuring a big crowd of 26 riders registered to race.
Will Kettle and Phil Heard put their hand up to marshal, while Mick Hone was our safety vehicle.
Cam Smith had the handicaps under control as race director Troy Griffiths got the groups into position.
Georgie Jenkins saddled up for her first race this season and the handicapper took an instant dislike to her boyfriend Luke, handing him a challenging group on debut.
For the first time in a while, the top end of the field was particularly strong with Jack Arnold and Nathan Oman joining Harry Moller and Brayden Walsh in block, with Levi Hone and Lenny and George Griffiths breathing down their neck.
It was lap two of three that would prove pivotal, Paul Oman and Heather Lias had joined David Menzies and Ray Hamilton before being joined by Matt Dobeli, Claire Goodman, Russ Jeffreys, Dazz McKemmish and Dave Faulkner as they pushed on.
Further back in the field, John Brian, Scott Moller and Matt Grealy had been caught by Cam Smith, Nick Woods, Nick McNair and Cobram’s finest export Daniel Burrows before they were hit by block.
The addition of scratch stretched the field with Nathan Oman, Harry Moller and Nick McNair digging deep to stay in contact.
Into the final corner it was the combined scratch group who would fight it out for the podium spots with the next bunch, formed by Cam Smith, Nick Woods, Brayden Walsh, Daniel Burrows, Scott Moller, Claire Goodman, Matt Dobeli, and Dazza and Dave Faulkner, looking to fight it out for spots in the top 10.
In a sprint finish behind a Harry Moller lead out, it was Levi Hone the winner from Lenny Griffiths and younger brother George in third.
Thanks to all our officials and to Richard, our photographer.
Next weekend is the King’s Birthday long weekend with a few EMCC members testing themselves in the three-day Bendigo Tour.
9°C