By Paul Pickering
OFFICER trainer Michael Ryan celebrated the dawn of a new racing season in fine style at Pakenham on Saturday, when Extremely Hissed broke his maiden status in the 1300m fourth race.
The four-year-old gelding – second up after 10-month spell – scored by half a length over Peter Morgan-trained Like a God to give Ryan just his second winner since October 2007.
The 1 August meeting prompted horses’ birthday celebrations throughout the afternoon, with every winner earning a large bag of carrots, courtesy of the folks at Pakenham Fruit Plaza.
Ryan was the only local trainer to salute on the nine-race card, while Cranbourne mentor Ray Borg scored by the narrowest of margins with five-year-old mare Uptown Lass in the seventh.
The standout performer of the day was journeyman jockey Dale Smith, who piloted Gold Red to victory for Caulfield trainer Luke Oliver in the opener before successfully backing up on Mick Price’s Miss Twoicee in the second.
Pakenham trainer Matt Leek had to settle for third in the 2400m fifth race – the richest of the day – when his in-form seven-year-old Sarchochilus finished two lengths behind David Cave’s Tellan Dave.
Racing will return to Pakenham on Monday, 14 September.
New arrivals inspired by art
An art exhibition for young talented artists from diverse backgrounds has opened to the public at Connect Art Space in Dandenong.
The exhibition opening was...
