10/03/2026
Racing from Colin Hodges 9th March 2026
Following a string of recent honest performances, the Melissa Harrison, Forbes trained Glowing Rapids was a deserved winner of the 1200 metres Balance Accountants & Advisers Benchmark 58 Handicap on Monday at Cowra.
Naturally disappointed when Bobby’s Secret after a hard ,wide run went down to Blackhill Kitty by a short half head in the Tottenham Picnic Cup on Saturday, trainer Melissa Harrison had an easier watch when Glowing Rapids at Cowra was in control from the outset.
Travelling smoothly in the lead under apprentice Deon Le Roux, Glowing Rapids ($2.25 to $1.90 favourite) was not seriously threatened when winning by nearly 2 lengths from Twin Gift (Ashleigh McCabe, $19) and Only Need One (Mathew Cahill, $19).
At Dubbo last Friday, trainer Michael Lynch landed the quinella with Bolo Miss (Mathew Cahill) and Bounding Bon (Ken Dunbar) in the final event and he was in the winners circle again with Take The Chance at his local track in the 1700 metres Mac Property Benchmark 58 Handicap.
Trapped wide from an outside barrier, Ken Dunbar made a winning decision when he took off on Take The Chance to dash clear leaving the 600 metres turn.
At the top of the home straight Take The Chance ($6 to $5) had a good lead and held on to win by over 2 lengths from the strong finishing Kathryn Cahill trained Railway Avenue (Mathew Cahill, $19) and Special Prophet (Dale Cole, $4.20 favourite).
High profile Sydney based trainers initially began sending horses out to start at Bathurst, Orange and Mudgee but are now casting their nets wider with Ciaron Maher and Bjorn Baker from Warwick Farm both having runners in the 1200 metres Cowra Motors Maiden Handicap.
Nafanua (Olivia Chambers, $1.35 to $1.45 favourite) from the Baker stable led throughout to win from the Melissa Harrison trained Erion (Pierre Boudvillain, $13) while another Forbes galloper Kneel Down (Izzy Neale, $41) trained by Dennis Bush ran third, in front of the Maher trained Deluce (Jean Van Overmeire, $3.50 to $3.20).
Bjorn Baker had a mixed day, with Curie ($1.45 to $1.35 favourite) and Tartan Tiger ($2.80 to $5.50) both unplaced however he completed a winning double when Hey Jude (Jean Van Overmeire, $2.50 to $2.05 favourite) came from fifth on the home turn to beat Splendid Magnus (Damon Budler, $9.50) and The Contractor (Amy McLucas, $4.80) in the 1375 metres Club Cowra- Diggers Cup Class 1 Handicap.
Canberra trainers had a successful day with Rob Potter (Bosco, Damon Budler,$5) and Neil Osborne (Falcon Gold, Jack Martin, $5 to $3.60) each having a winner while Anthony Warren landed a winning double with Endless Applause (Pierre Boudvillain, $3.80) and Sir Lunchalots (Robyn Freeman, $5).
Major floods in November 2022 caused huge damage to Cowra racecourse however with a lot of very hard work the track has been returned to a great racing surface.
Following over 100ml of rain last week the track recovered remarkably and by mid afternoon on Monday was upgraded to a Good 4 rating by the stewards.
Jason Hyeronimus (President), Karen Hurst (Secretary) and committee members of Cowra Jockey Club are now planning for the next meeting on Saturday 11th July.
Colin Hodges.
