This Week in Racing History

MARCH

26th

World Park Ned defeated Queenslander Hardell by just three-quarters of a length to take out the 1983 National Derby, run over 530 metres at Wentworth Park. World Park Ned had been a semi-finalist in the 1982 Derby.

Victorian stayer High Intensity defeated local star Whip Tip in the 1988 , run over 720 metres at Wentworth Park., for trainer Joe Hili.

Thai Again took out the 2005 Easter Chase, run over 720 metres at Wentworth Park, downing Victorian stayer Triple Trio by just over three lengths for trainer . One the same night, snared a whopping $130,000 in winning the Golden Easter Egg by three-quarters of a length from Eiffella, running 29.98 for trainer Steven White.

27th

The greyhound track resumed racing in 1954, after a break of 12 months.

The last meeting was held on the Wauchope track in 1971. The track, constructed at the showgrounds, had been operational since 1953. A new course was opened just over three months later, elsewhere.

Victorian stayer Strand Belle scored a narrow head victory in the 1971 Wentworth Park final, downing Mustard Moss over 790 yards (722 metres) in a race record 43.3. Just a neck away third was Tara Flash with another star Victorian stayer, Paul's Thunder, fourth.

Bold Trease won the 1986 Sandown Cup by six lengths. The great stayer would go on to create world racing history by annexing the prestigious race four times in a row. This was the last time the final was held in March.

Queen Lauryn won the 2008 Queensland Futurity final, run over 520 metres at Albion Park, defeating and Que Sera Sera.

28th

Robin Buchanan took out the inaugural running of the Harold Park Bi-Annual Classic (later renamed the Vic Peters Bi-Annual Classic and now known as the Peter Mosman Memorial) in 1952, defeating Valiant Ross by a head with Rose Havoc a half length away third. The winner exited box nine in the 10-starter field.

Black Review equalled the race record of 31.10 in taking out the 1987 Western Australian Derby, run over 530 metres at Cannington.

On the same night in 1987, Shy Sultan won the only National Derby final ever run at Harold Park. Racing on a heavy track, Shy Sultan, who was the first reserve and gained a run from box five, defeated Pivot's Victory and Yannick in a close finish. At the time, Wentworth Park was undergoing renovations.

29th

Leading stayer Mystery Rocca won a second consecutive NCA Championship, run over 750 yards (686 metres) at Wentworth Park, in 1948. Mystery Rocca ran 42.2, the same time as her 1947 victory.

The ill-fated Victorian sprinter Bahama Image won the 1997 Golden Easter Egg final from Kedo's Millie. 1996 victor Tenthill Doll, who had returned from injury, finished a gallant sixth. The race was worth $120,000 to the winner.

Tasmanian stayer Chinatown Lad broke -metre Cannington in 2008 when he won the Interstate Challenge by almost six lengths from Elektra, running 41.42.

30th

The Allen Wheeler-bred, owned and trained sprinter Tintawin won the 1974 National Futurity final, run over 530 metres at Wentworth Park.

First reserve Rapid Supreme took out the 1985 National Derby at Wentworth Park (530 metres) after gaining a run from box three.

31st

Rookie Rebel took out the inaugural , run over 675 yards (617 metres) at North Melbourne in 1958. The race was a handicap and Rookie Rebel started off the back mark and downed NSW representative Magic Babe by three lengths.

Victorian star Tegimi won the 1979 National Derby by three lengths from Flaming Bolt and equalled the race record of 30.78, set the previous year. Tegimi downed a hot field with All Design fourth, fifth and Fast Sapphire seventh.

APRIL

1st

The Tony Provost-trained Just Like Whisky won the 1994 Perth Cup at Cannington by two lengths from Worthy Reward and City View.

On the same night, but over at Wentworth Park, Mystery Idle won the 1994 National Futurity by a head from Golden Jedda, running a race record 30.62.

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