Curtain to come down on Southland thoroughbred racing season
Gallop South's racing manager, Jo Gordon, said the organisation was grateful to trainers for entering horses at two meetings in Southland this week.
Jamie Searle is a long-time racing writer. For more of his work check out the Southland Thoroughbreds Facebook page.
Thoroughbred racing in Southland finishes for the season at Ascot Park, Invercargill, on Sunday.
A good number of horses entered for the Wairio Jockey Club's annual race meeting competed in wintry conditions at Riverton on Wednesday.
Gallop South's racing manager, Jo Gordon, said the organisation was grateful to trainers for entering horses at both meetings, especially those travelling from Otago, South Canterbury and Canterbury.
Travel subsidies were available to help owners and trainers outside of Southland with the cost of transporting horses to Riverton, Ascot Park or both. It was a good move because a lot of Southland horses have been turned out for the winter.
Gordon said the travel subsidies had helped to attract more entries.
Among trainers from outside of Southland supporting the two race days are Rangiora horseman Paul Harris with 12 horses and Christchurch trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman and Andrew Carston who have four and five horses, respectively, on the trip south.
The jockey's willingness to ride in difficult weather conditions at Riverton on Wednesday was appreciated by Gallop South, Gordon said.
"They showed real guts to ride, it was cold, freezing conditions.
"They kept riding and didn't complain, showed real toughness."
As well as an administrator, Gordon is a trainer, with five of her team lining up at Ascot Park on Sunday - Bob Marlie (race two), Ayappan (race four), Villanelle (race five), Sutherland (race six) and No Bouquet (race eight).
Villanelle and No Bouquet were her best chances, Gordon said.
Villanelle won at Riverton on Wednesday.
"She's come through it good ... we're definitely starting her. No Bouquet's trained on well since her win [at Riverton, April 10]."
