IN many ways, Mildura is getting back on track after two years of COVID lockdowns, cancellations and restrictions.
And that was epitomised at Sandilong Park yesterday as a big and happy crowd turned out for the return of the Mildura Cup.
There have been no crowds at the cup for the past two years, with the race even being transferred to Swan Hill last year.
The pandemic has been a big economic hit for not just the small Mildura Racing Club, which has an average of only about eight meetings a year, but also for the business, hospitality and tourism industry.
To mark the return of crowds to the cup, Mildura Racing Club lured a couple of celebrities along for the day, with reality TV star Tayla Damir, of Love Island fame, judging the Fashions on the Field, and X-Factor winner Reece Mastin providing some on-course entertainment.
Forget the knockers who pointed out that they were hardly A-list celebrities, it was great of the club to add a bit of fun and glamour to a country race meeting, and hopefully Tayla and Reece enjoyed their day in our town.
There was plenty to do for the kids, with rides and activities, marquees were filled with guests and sponsors, as well as some quality racing.
The Mildura Cup is now worth $100,000 and attracts a quality field.
Yesterday’s winner, Blaze A Trail, is trained by the dominant Maher-Eustace stable in Warrnambool, overcoming the likes of Group 2 and listed winner Cherry Tortoni in stunning style.
For those of us who love the sport of racing, it’s not just about the punt, but the people, the horses and the wonderful stories.
Racing stories are filled with some of the best characters you can read about.
Among them is Swan Hill jockey Harry Coffey, who had a book of seven rides at Mildura yesterday, including Air Defence in the Cup.
Air Defence is trained by Coffey’s uncle Shane Fliedner, a former jockey and trainer who was formerly based in Mildura.
Last weekend, Coffey clocked up his first 100 wins in a season in spectacular style at Flemington, booting home longshot Skyphios to win the $150,000 Byerley Handicap to book a place in the $2 million Victoria Derby or the $1 million VRC Oaks.
It capped an amazing season that included his first ride in the Melbourne Cup.
Coffey lives with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that affects the lungs, digestive system and other major organs for which there is no known cure.
His story is well known in racing circles, and he finds it a “bit repetitive” to talk about, but he understands what his success means.
“I prefer to talk about my riding, but it is part of me, part of the story,” he said after winning his first Group 1 race in 2018.
“When you win a race like the Oaks, it becomes clear how special it is – not only to people around me but people I have never met that live with CF, and their families.”
As a newspaper person, I consider Coffey’s story to be one of the most inspirational in Australian sport, and it was a privilege to watch the likes of him live in Mildura.
Well done to Mildura Racing Club for putting on a great show after two years of hardship.
And they are back again today for the completion of their two-day cup carnival. Get along for the ride.
