Racing: Rabbit the one to watch in Cup

Rabbit Nagina was a surprise winner of the $9000 Caltex Open Handicap at the Port Hedland Turf Club’s ladies day meeting on Sunday.

Picture: Port Hedland Turf Club

Although his recent form was nothing to write home about, Rabbit Nagina was full of running for jockey Jeffrey Berry, recording an easy win from Broome visitors Arondight and Stokehouse.

Stokehouse eventually worked his way to the lead with Rabbit Nagina always prominent after working hard in the early stages. Whilst punters were looking for the likes of Racso, Monsieur Blanc and Enuejeune to run home, it was Rabbit Nagina who came storming down the outside.

It was another top training performance by Kevin Mahoney to get Rabbit Nagina back to his best with his last win at Gosford in 2009 a distant memory. Knowing Mahoney’s training record in Port Hedland Cups, it would be foolish to discount Rabbit Nagina from winning the main event on August 1.

Broome trainer Kristy Casey was rewarded for trekking down the highway with Prince Of Silk winning the $9000 Goodline Ladies Bracelet Handicap.

Sent to the front by Willie Arnold, Prince of Silk withheld strong finishes by Tenpin and Dan The Fox to just claim victory.

Casey will no doubt wear the ladies bracelet, presented by Goodline, with a lot of joy.

Jockey David Randall overcame some weight issues and returned to the saddle in fine style, riding three winners on the program. His day commenced well on Unnatural in the R.G.R. Road Haulage Maiden for South Hedland trainer Dean Cocivera.

The former Victorian ran home well to win easily from the fast finishing Our Ivy.

Randall was at his best on Junior Soprano in the $7250 Vathjunker Handicap.

Junior Soprano settled back in the field early but at the 700 metre mark Randall took off and circled the whole field, hitting the front on the home corner. From there he dashed away in the easiest win of the day for South Hedland trainer Shane Harcourt.

Harcourt, whose stable is in top form at present, celebrated a double for the day when Clark County saluted the judge in the $7500 Crawford Real Estate Handicap.

The mare had to work hard from an outside barrier to grab the lead but from there was never headed, giving Berry the first of his double for the day.

Randall completed his trifecta when he teamed up with South Hedland trainer Anne King onboard Whoville High in the $8000 Gravity Cranes Handicap.

The leaders went very hard early and at the 200 metre mark it was anyone’s race until Whoville High joined in and galloped away to win easily from Street Player and Jake The Musk.

A big crowd attended the ladies day meeting, with The Port Hedland Turf Club now turning its attention to Cup day on August 1.

Roebourne Cup will be run this Saturday, with champion Australian and international trainer David Hayes a special guest of The Nor West Jockey Club.