Mt Wycheproof Cup: Last two races abandoned due to safety concerns with track

In front of a packed crowd, five races were run at the Mt Wycheproof Cup meeting, but not the big one. See why and all the action here.

The Mt Wycheproof Cup has still not been run and won in front of a crowd since 2019, after being abandoned on Saturday due to safety concerns with sections of the track.

Five races had been held in front of a record crowd of more than 3500 people when the final two races, including the 1800m cup, were called off.

A track inspection took place following the fourth race and again after the fifth, after concerns were raised by jockeys.

As per racing policy, a vote of riders engaged in the last two races was then conducted and enough votes for the meeting to be abandoned was obtained.

Frowned ridden by John Keating wins the Hayden Kelly and Family Handicap at Wycheproof on Saturday. Pictures: Brendan McCarthy

Senior jockey John Keating, who rode a winner at the meeting, said the track issues became evident after the first race.

“The track looked pristine and still had good grass cover,” he said.

“But it felt like it was shifting underneath us, especially on the corners, with Wycheproof well known as a track with very tight corners.

“There were a lot of very inexperienced apprentices (who) don’t know what to do when a horse shifts underneath them.

“It can be a recipe for disaster.”

The 2020 meeting was abandoned due to Covid before being held 12 months later without crowds.

Last year, wet weather stopped the once-a-year meeting going ahead.

“The safety of jockeys can’t be compromised so regretabbly the last two races on the card had to be cancelled,” Mt Wycheproof & District Racing Club committee member Jackie Noonan said.

“But on every other marker the day was an unqualified success with the huge crowd a reminder of what makes this day incredibly special and so sorely missed by people in our part of the world and beyond the last few years.”

Wycheproof Cup fashions on the field winners, Ali Usman, Pamela Harrington, Gracie Humphreys, Jemma Robinson and Florence McLennan.

Fashions on the field were hotly contested with Wycheproof’s Pamela Harrington taking out the Most Elegant Lady Award and Melbourne visitor Ali Usman the best dressed man.

Mortlake also welcomed back crowds for its cup meeting for the first time since 2019 on Saturday.

But unlike Wycheproof, the feature event was held and taken out by the Matt Cumani-trained Sous Les Nuages, who was having his first start since mid-April.

Cumani also won the first two races of the day with Desert Anthem and Fairytale Bliss.

In southern NSW, the Berrigan Cup meeting was also held on Saturday with Wangaratta-trained nine-year-old gelding Choice Harvest running down Mescaminto in the final 100m to win.

Trained by Craig Weeding, Choice Harvest was the only runner in the five-horse field not trained by another Wangaratta trainer Andrew Dale.

Choice Harvest won the Deniliquin Cup at his previous start in mid-October.

Trainer Jarrod Robinson with Mangwanani after winning the 1800m Maiden Plate at Wycheproof.

There was plenty on offer for racegoers of all ages at the Mt Wycheproof Cup meeting on Saturday.

Jockey Jaylah Kennedy won the Maiden Plate 1400m at Wychepoof on Saturday aboard Our Perfect Train.