HORSE RACING

IT was one of the underdogs that claimed this year’s $7,000 Balnarring Cup at the annual Australia Day meeting, but it certainly seemed popular based on the crowd’s jubilant reaction.

Almost 4,000 spectators braved the heat to attend the Balnarring Cup meeting which saw Cranbourne-based trainer Mal Watts claim the feature race with her only horse in work, See It All ($13).

Watts’ five-year drought without a winner came to an end as Mornington-based jockey Marie-Melodie Pomarede guided the six-year-old gelding to a short head victory.

The fortune was certainly on Pomarede’s side as she picked up the ride on See It All that very morning after hearing that her initial ride on Rachael Frost’s Napoleon was unlikely to make the field.

Napoleon did in fact make the field but tailed off to finish at the rear, while Pomarede, who urged her mount along under hands and heels for the final 100m, saluted in memorable fashion.

“It felt pretty good to win it with so many people there on the day,” Pomarede said. “I still can’t believe it.”

Despite the winner paying double figures, Balnarring Picnic Racing Club president Terry Mulcahy said the crowd gave the pair a rousing reception on their way back to scales.

“The clerk of the course took [Pomarede] right down in front of the mound so she did half of a lap of honour on the way back,” he said. “The smile on her face was unbelievable. It was fabulous to see such a popular result.”

Seymour-based trainer Don Dwyer and leading picnic jockey Shaun Cooper also combined for a winning double on the day with All Too Creedy (race 1) and Peggy Rose (race 6).

Jockey Grant Seccombe also rode a double on the card with Shootist (race 3) and Ellanova (race 5) both saluting.

First published in the Mornington News – 1 February 2022