Locals race to the win

Cities RLFC annual race day draws eager punters to Bassett Park.

TIGHT FINISH: Two Amor and jockey Shannyn Barlow take to the lead in the final race of the Cities' race day 2018. Picture: Molly Hancock

HORSE RACING: Despite the chilly weather conditions at the weekend, eager race goers flocked to Bassett Park for the Cities Rugby League Club annual race day.

The five-race program proved to be good competition, with a couple of close finishes.

The feature race, the 1200m Commonwealth Hotel open plate, saw locally- owned horse Repo Zest win by half a length.

Owner Brad Neven said it was a good day for him in terms of racing.

"We have had a really good day and got a first and a second with two of our horses in the second race of the day.

"We have just won the big race of the day and that horse is really good. He won two weeks ago and repeated it again today,” Neven said.

He also attributed the win to Brisbane jockey Madeleine Wishart.

"We also have a great jockey from Brisbane and she is currently out-riding everyone in the bush at the moment,” he said.

After going for the hat-trick last year at the Roma Cup, Neven said he and trainer Wayne Baker were determined to get the three wins.

"Wayne Baker has trained a lot of good winners. It is always good to win in Roma and we also won two races at the cup last year and we are going for the third but the rain stopped us,” Neven said.

Roma Turf Club committee member Terry Pulsford said the Cities race day was strongly supported and nominations were high.

"This is the Cities' second race day and they always get really strong sponsorship from the community,” he said.

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