Geraldton Turf Club races: 12th meet of the season produces mixed bag for trainers, owners and punters

After having to reschedule the last meet, it was business as usual at the Geraldton Turf club, with the 12th meet of the season taking place on Thursday, with surprise results on the track. Race of the day, race seven, saw Dan and Ben Pearce’s Defending come through with a win in partnership with jockey Kyra Yuill. Behind by a length-and-a-half in second was Willie Parker’s Patchwork ($11) with an impressive run. Kicking things off on Thursday with a win was jockey Tash Faithfull on board Ashley Maley’s Kleva Conned. In her usual style, Faithfull got a win on the board early in Geraldton. Trainer Gordon Spowart got his day rolling in race two with a strong win from his three-year-old gelding Southland. Jockey Troy Turner was on board Southland, breaking the horse’s maiden win. The feelgood result of the day went to Whaitiri in race three who scored her maiden win in her 56th start. Jockey Brandon Louis rode the mare to her first win, delighting onlookers. Ron Cowl’s Bayhara charged on the home straight to pip Julia Martin’s Miff Muffered Moof at the line in race four, with Yuill getting her second win of the day. Jockey Kristy Bennett looked to be in prime position on board Miff Muffered Moof until the final bend, when Bayhara kicked in, earning a gutsy win. Performer of the day was Barry Newnham’s On the Mark, winning race five in stunning fashion by almost six lengths with Peta Edwards on board. The four-year-old gelding blitzed the pack, getting the better of second-placed Turner on Luckee Floran. Local trainer Jessica Bain won race six with Queen Tiffany. Jockey Keshaw Dhurun gave the five-year-old mare the best chance of winning, winning the race by half a length to Albert Bowtell’s Sauvegarde. Closing out the day in race eight was local trainer William Renwick with Clever Combat. Madi Derrick arrived to the party late, picking up her first win of the day in the final race , ahead of Tony Scally’s Ironclad Boy. Racing returns to Geraldton Turf Club Thursday, February 20.