Brungle product Billy Owen kicked off the 2022/23 racing season in style at Gundagai on Monday.
Along with riding Epizeel to victory for Gratz Vella in the 1800m Benchmark 58 Handicap, Owen landed a win on the Nick Olive-trained Gambacorta in the first race, the 1400m Maiden Plate for the colts and geldings.
Gambacorta ($3.60) was engaged in a good battle with race-favourite Avvertimento (Jean Van Overmeire, $2.20), but the Canberra galloper got the job done to win by 0.41 of a length, while in third and 1.46 lengths off the winner was Manhattan Valley (Mick Heagney, $18).
In the second race, 37-year-old apprentice jockey Zara Castellaz-Faico landed her first ever winner when guiding the Pat Murphy-trained Crazy Ladies to victory in the 1400m Maiden Plate for the fillies and mares.
Crazy Ladies ($5.50) just beat home Luvin’ Our Grace (Jake Duffy, $1.55 fav.) by 0.02 of a length, while in third was the Kerry Weir-trained She’s A Hot Cod (Jean Van Overmeire, $12).
Darrell Burnet and Hannah Wiliams combined in race three to win the 1180m Maiden Handicap aboard Supido Beauty ($2.50 fav.)
The Wagga galloper just won, holding off Hold Fast To Love (Jean Van Overmeire, $6) by 0.02 of a length, while in third was Grand Sassy (Jake Duffy, $12).
The Mitch Beer-trained Swagger (Jett Stanley, $8.50) landed a good win in the 1180m Benchmark 58 Handicap, beating Tough James (Teighan Worsnop, $8.50) by 0.76 of a length and in third and 1.18 lengths off the winner was Are Zhu Ready (Olivia Chambers, $9).
Garry Kirkup and Quayde Krogh combined to win the 1400m Class Two Handicap with Lady of Fortune ($21), with the grey mare holding off race-favourite Mathrin (Michael Travers, $1.70) by 0.24 of a length, and in third and 1.06 lengths off the winner was Mescaminto (Billy Owen, $3.60).
Gundagai Adelong Race Club will race again on Sunday, September 4.
