Spring racing: Swan Hill galloper Bannerton wins Mt Wycheproof Cup

A big crowd of close to 4000 people flocked to the Mallee for the Mt Wycheproof Cup meeting. See the best of the colour and characters on the day.

Swan Hill galloper Bannerton scored his biggest race win in the $30,000 Mt Wycheproof Cup (1800m) on Saturday.

On a day when a crowd witnessed the cup for the first time since 2019, trainer Austy Coffey claimed the race again with the seven-year-old gelding.

Bannerton, in his 61st race start, pipped Samurai Star on the line with stablemate Jefferson finishing third.

Jess Jobling, Ella Mirtschin, Megan Williamson and Eliza Straford take in the action at the Mt Wycheproof Cup races. Pictures: Yuri Kouzmin

In 2016, Coffey trained five winners on Mt Wycheproof Cup Day including the feature race winner, Vianden.

But Coffey was upstaged by his jockey son Harry, who rode six of the seven winners on the day.

Harry Coffey recently scored his biggest race win in the Caulfield Cup on Duke de Dessa.

Nathan Punch was the successful rider of Bannerton with the jockey making a comeback to racing in March after close to two years on the sidelines with severe concussion issues.

Bannerton storms home to the middle of the track to win the Mt Wycheproof Cup for jockey Nathan Punch.

Race caller Rick McIntosh was behind the microphone at the Mt Wycheproof Cup for the 20th time on Saturday.

Nathan Punch wins the Mt Wycheproof Cup on Bannerton.

Ballarat trainer Julie Scott with her cup day winner Blaiken.

Gentleman of the Day winner Steve Jewson from Jan Jac.

Most Stylish Millinery of the Day winner Rubi Crouch, and her mother and Lady of the Day Carly Crouch, from Stawell.

Most Stylish Millinery of the Day winner Rubi Crouch, from Stawell.

Most Elegant Lady of the Day Carly Crouch.

Part-owner of Melbourne Cup winner Prince Of Penzance, Sandy McGregor and RSN chief executive Bernard Saundry.

Judging for fashions on the field at the Mt Wycheproof Cup race day.

Mitch Pierce, dressed in clown suit, had his bucks party at the Mt Wycheproof Cup races with Nick Pierce, Nick Heather, Colin Moore, Sam Day, Kyle Gelllatty, Thomas Moore.

Part of the estimate 3800 crowd attended the Mt Wycheproof Cup races on Saturday.

Britt Button won the opening race on Tookay Pete.

Nationals MP Jade Benham with successful race owners Tony Natale, left, and Charlie Camera, both from Robinvale.

Mt Wycheproof Cup winning owner Tony Natale, from Robinvale.

Nathan Punch won the Mt Wycheproof Cup on Bannerton.