A DEAFENING roar went up from the grandstand in the concluding stages of the 1982 Pakenham Cup when it became apparent that the locally owned and trained Telopia would be the winner.
Ridden a perfect waiting race by Wayne Treloar, Telopia made his challenge when the field straightened for the run home. He accelerated quickly 200 metres from the post, and coming down the centre of the track stormed home to a most popular win.
There was great excitement amongst the connections of the winning owners in the mounting yard immediately after the race. All owners are members of the Pakenham Racing Club, Messrs Lin Ahern and David Bourke being committeemen.
Mr Jack Russell, a former shire councillor, is currently Pakenham Show Society president; Mr George Wilson, a former president of the Royal Agricultural Society, is a popular Berwick identity; while Pakenham Shire administrative officer, Mr Stuart Williams is well-known for his contribution to sporting and public activities in Pakenham.
Perhaps the most excited person to greet the horse and rider was the trainer, Keith Bennett. His stables are adjacent to the racecourse, being the former stables of Pakenham’s greatest resident horse trainer, the late Ray (Darby) Webster.
When Telopia won the prestigious Gold Nugget stakes at Ballarat last October, Bennett told the owners that he would like to set the horse for the 1982 Pakenham Cup. It was agreed that this should be the horse’s goal in its next campaign.
It would seem that Telopia must know the right time to show his best, as at both Pakenham and Ballarat, it was his fourth run after a spell that he scored his best wins.
Bought in New Zealand by Jack Russell in January 1980, Telopia has now had 26 starts for seven wins, five seconds, and one third, and has earned prize money of $41,228. A son of the American bred First Consul Test Case mare Valgrana, Telopia has breeding lines to indicate that he could get 2000 metres in a race.
The 1750 Pakenham Cup was his first success at journeys over a mile, and some keen punters doubted his ability to see out the extra distance. However, the horse vindicated Keith Bennett’s confidence in him, as he has always claimed that he could get the extra journey.
Trophy presentations were made by leading rider Roy Higgins. In introducing the guest of honour, the club chairman, Mr Peter Ronald, made reference to his remarkable career as a jockey, and paid tribute to Roy for the esteem in which he was held in racing circles.
Mr Bourke, as manager of the syndicate that races the horse, received a silver tea and coffee service on behalf of the group.
Mr Bennett and Mr Treloar both received silver trophies for their win.
It was Wayne Treloar’s second Pakenham Cup win. He scored on Valrena in 1977.
Treloar won the next event at Pakenham last Wednesday on the Ballarat-trained Wishbone, to give himself a winning double.
Telopia started at 10/1. He opened at 8/1, drifted to 12s, and then firmed two points. Tote punters were lucky as he paid $6.55 for a win and $2.05 for a place, odds of 12/1. It was a most open betting race, the favourite Atropine being backed from 7/1 to start at 9/2. Off-course punters wagered $186,631 on the win place tote. This is a record for any one event at Pakenham.
Actual TAB turnover on the Pakenham meeting itself was $1,389,511, whilst the Sydney turnover was $256,118. The grand total of $1,645,629 was more than $200,000 better than any previous Pakenham meeting.
The attendance was well up to the usual Cup day standard, and this pleased officials. Although fields were on the small side of the day, a total of 82 starters contested the eight event program, and there was each way betting in every race.
After the racing of the Golden Horseshoe Flying Handicap, a beautiful gold horseshoe trophy was presented to Mr Shaun Fox, trainer who represented the owners, Mr and Mrs W.M. Force.
The trophy had been donated by club member Mr Brian Shelton, who said when making the presentation that a similar trophy would be made available to the club for the next five years. Made from a gold nugget found in Victoria, the horseshoe was crafted in Switzerland, and was a magnificent piece of work.
In winning the cup hurdle, the Houlahan-trained Waikaton King registered his third win in his last four starts over the jumps.
A second season jumper, this horse shows real promise, and could be a National hope this coming season.
The track was rated fast for the meeting and the course and appointments were in first-class condition. The course manager, Mr Graham Hind and his staff are to be congratulated for the manner in which the course was presented. The extremely hot spell had no doubt caused difficulties with the garden display, but Jan Vis, who is in charge of that department, had the flowers at their best for the big day.
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