This Week in Racing History
JANUARY
15th
Queensland stayer Worthy Reward annexed the 1994 Association Cup final at Wentworth Park, scoring by four lengths over Beau Rajah and Rob's Rebel in 42.67. This set a new race record which stood until 2000.
16th
Connections of Chief Havoc announced the official retirement of the superstar in 1948. He had retired in mid-1947 but then returned successfully to the track winning five of seven starts and setting three track records.
Prey For Mercy scored a strong victory in the 2007 Gosford Gold Cup, picking up $25,000 for trainer Gary Grant and running a race record 29.95, shaving 1/100th from the previous mark
Miss Elly Mint won a 515-metre race at the Gardens by seven and a half lengths in 2009 to equal Kate's A Scandal's 1981 record of 15 consecutive TAB-class victories.
The brilliant Mantra Lad won the 2010 Association Cup at Wentworth Park by just over six lengths in a brilliant 42.14, smashing the race record set the previous year by 10/100ths.
17th
Milo's Charm defeated former Victorian star Cabernet with Young Sultan third in a match race run over 500 yards (457m) at Cessnock in 1972.
Queensland champion Top Simbi won a record 12th consecutive race at the Gabba, scoring by three and a half lengths over 558 metres, in 1974. It was his 19th victory at the Brisbane circuit.
The Ned Bryant-trained Shining Chariot won the 1987 Cranbourne Cup. Among the beaten division were future stars Sydney Dingaan and Pharaoh's Mask (who fell).
18th
NSW St Leger winner Likely Light scored by seven lengths over the former New Zealand sprinter Haste over 530 metres at Wentworth Park in her first start for 1973 and her first in top grade. She won in 30.9, which was 2/10ths outside the new track record, and her fourth win in just five starts at the Glebe track. Sadly, she would win only two more races out of the remaining 17 starts of her career.
19th
Mystic Hope defeated Lucky Draw by half a length to take out the inaugural running of the Gleeson & Tonta Trophy, over 732 metres at Olympic Park, in 1987. Fifth in the final was champion stayer Bold Trease.
NSW sprinter Forest Fin defeated Queensland star Jurassic Vapour with Victorian Golden Currency third in the 1995 Adelaide Cup, running a race record 29.33 at Angle Park.
The John Finn-trained Sheikha took out the first January running of the Paws of Thunder, in 2013. Sheikha defeated Cavendish Flyer by one length with Imry Bale third.
20th
A crowd of around 10,000 attended a race meeting at Wentworth Park in 1940, the largest since the track opened the previous October. The current star Machealor won his fourth successive race, the NCA Stake over 550 yards (503 metres), by a head in 31.1. Three greyhounds were barred by the stewards for fighting.
The Victorian Kilty Lad downed Perfect Fancy and Penthouse to win the 2011 Adelaide Cup at Angle Park. This was the last time the race was held in January.
21st
Track specialist Temlee used box one to perfection to take out the 1974 Maturity Classic over 511 metres at Olympic Park by nine lengths from the smart Sylvan Prince.