Penthurst goes to the penthouse with Ballina Cup win

Murwillumbah trainer Matthew Dunn’s notched another winner at the 2021 Ballina Cup.

Ballina Cup winning jockey Luke Dittman and representing Matthew Dunn Racing, Toby McIntosh (Credit: Ballina Jockey Club)

Penthurst has claimed the 2021 Ballina Cup in convincing style from Zigallene and Malawi Gold for back-to-back victories.

The 7 year-old, trained by Matthew Dunn and ridden by Luke Dittman, was the pre-race favourite and went down the outside of the pack late before stretching away for a conclusive win.

Ballina Jockey Club general manager Matthew Bertram said Matthew Dunn deserved plaudits for training such a fine horse.

“ (Penthurst) looked to be in excellent form, it was an exceptionally good win, trained by Matthew Dunn at Murwillumbah … Matthew Dunn is one of the most successful country trainers in Australia,” Mr Bertram said.

- Ballina Cup winning horse Penthurst. (Credit: Ballina Jockey Club)

Mr Bertram said viewers had been treated to a high-quality standard of racing across the day.

“It was very good … there was a local winner in Stephen Lee, our lead trainer had a winner on the day so it’s always good when locals win, winners from as far as South East Queensland, just a good splattering of horses from South East Queensland and the Northern Rivers, it was a very good day.”

With 1,000 person limit due to COVID-19 restrictions, Mr Bertram said the 2021 Ballina Cup had been a different racing experience than past cup iterations.

“ We had a really good day, we would say it was a successful day, in terms of COVID it adds to your costs … your costs are increased and because you’re limiting the crowd your revenue was down but in terms of compiling with the COVID-safe rules it was a successful day.”

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