General News
7 June, 2025
Western Racing Report - Cobar
McDonnell propels one special lad to cup glory McDonnell propels one special lad to cup glory
Raced at Cobar - Saturday, May 31
Queensland raider Al Ash Lad, ridden a daring race by Dubbo jockey Georgina McDonnell, won the Westrac Cobar Cup before a very big crowd on Saturday at Cobar.
Trained at Cunnamulla by Monique Gavin, Al Ash Lad was taken straight to the lead in the 1700 metres Cup by Georgina McDonnell and had established a five-lengths’ break well before the home turn.
Appearing vulnerable in the straight, Al Ash Lad ($6) was kept balanced by McDonnell and fought on grimly to win by over two lengths from Il Tevere (Billy Cray, $5) and Pahang (Wendy Peel, $2.60 favourite).
Scone trainer Nikki Pollock has been bringing strong teams to western area meetings this season and she landed a winning treble at Cobar with Cooma Hut, Joanesski, and Hit Song.
Cooma Hut (Billy Cray, $1.80 favourite) had good TAB form and after tracking the leaders was a five-lengths’ winner of the 1000 metres Broughton Field Services and Cynend Building Maiden Plate from the Wayne Prisk, Cobar-trained Uncle Alf (Nyssa Burrells, $12) and Tiny Missile (Zoe Hunt, $7).
The in-form Dubbo apprentice Zoe Hunt followed a double at Brewarrina and another winner at Bathurst, with two winners, Joanesski and Hit Song, for Nikki Pollock at Cobar.
Leading all the way, Joanesski ($2.30 favourite) lasted to beat Mihrimah (Andrew Banks, $10) by a short half head with Lost Media (Ken Dunbar, $17) third in the DJW Contracting and Sullivans Mining and Industrial Benchmark 58 Handicap.
In the 1200-metre Cobar Cranes and Nutrien Russell Ag Solutions Benchmark 50 Handicap, Zoe Hunt and Nikki Pollock completed a good day when Hit Song ($3.20 favourite.) finished best to beat the leader Loud (Ken Dunbar, $4.40) and Rylstone Rocket (Nyssa Burrells, $15).
Another Dubbo jockey riding with plenty of recent success is Wendy Peel, who brought the Connie Greig trained Blackhill Kitty ($4.40) with a well-timed run from midfield to account for Maralago (Zoe Hunt, $6) and Benyatta (Nyssa Burrells, $4.60) in the 1370 metres BK Civil Group and Pryce Mining Services Benchmark 45 Handicap.
The winner of three races when taken to King Island over summer by Forbes trainer Bill Hayes, Gypsy King won the 1200-metre Tyre Doctor and Civil Industries Class One Handicap at Cobar.
Promising apprentice Caine Stuart who has transferred to the Brett Robb stable at Dubbo, was in the saddle on Gypsy King ($10) which burst through the pack from last to score by over a length from One Command (Billy Cray, $4.40) and Party Prophet (Ken Dunbar, $4 favourite).
The nine bookmakers operating at Cobar reported well above average turnover figures. Cobar is now highly rated amongst country clubs with outstanding facilities and meticulous racecourse presentation.
Read More: Nyngan