My Richard edges win at first meet

My Richard caused a boilover win in the feature race at the opening day of the 2014 season at the Port Hedland Turf Club on Saturday.

My Richard came with a strong finish to edge out Distinctive Dane in the run to the finish line in the 1200m, $10,000 Commercial Sprint.

The pace was on from the outset, with The Cat charging to the lead after being five wide early.

The race favourite, Sneaky, helped set the pace after trying to lead from his outside barrier.

My Richard is better known as a stayer, having run in the Port Hedland Cup last year.

The horse was ridden by jockey Simone Altieri, who also won on Luck's Elusive for Lancelin-based trainer Ashley Maley in the first race of the day, the Hedland First National Handicap.

Altieri let Luck's Elusive settle back in the field early, but the mare quickly joined in on straightening to pass TheAdmiralReturns to score an emphatic win.

Lark Hill trainer Tom Pike stopped by the Hedland meet on his way to Broome and trained a winning double with Todabar and The Night Turns.

Todabar was Pike's most impressive winner, coming from last to win the $8500 PLWA Group Handicap over 1200m. A quick pace was set by early leader School Rumble and the leaders packed it in with 100m to go.

Todabar was last around the home corner, but finished with a huge sprint along with Nippering to fight the race out.

It was a well-judged ride by apprentice jockey Casey Hunter, who had to survive a protest from Nippering's jockey Sasha Starley for alleged interference in the home straight.

Roebourne-based trainer Micky Ball was rewarded for his trip up the highway when Trevandy won the $8500 Concorde Handicap (1200m).

Like Todabar, Trevandy also came with a late charge down the outside to beat quite a handy field of runners.

Ball has seven horses in work and looks set for a successful season.

The Port Hedland Turf Club's next meeting will be on Sunday, June 1.