Controversial Miss gallops away with Tapper Agri Cup at Hay Races 2023
Controversial Miss is crossing the post to win the $20,000 Tapper Agri Services Hay Cup (1400m). Trainer Craig Weeding, Jockey Connor Murtagh.
Image: The Riverine Grazier/Margie McClelland.
By Kimberly Grabham
The 2023 Tapper Agri Hay Races were a roaring success.
Amidst the spectacular Fashions on the Fields, marquees which were sold out within the first week of sale, reunions and special events held, was some outstanding racing and considerable prize money on offer.
Fashion on the field results:
Best dressed couple; Will Morphett and Harriett Craig. Best dressed gent: Brett Boulton. Best dressed ladies Lauren O’Hara, Daisy Armstrong and Sam Harrison. Millinary section won by Elizabeth Patterson.
The combination of jockey Connor Murtagh and trainer Craig Weeding proved to be widely successful, with the pair cleaning up four wins, including the $20,000 Tapper Agri Services Hay Cup.
The $13,000 Paddock To Plate Maiden Plate (800m) was won by - Malabar Prince, Trainer: Andrew Dale racing, Jockey: Brad Vale.
$16,000 Lugsdin Toyota, Autogo Hay & Australian Food and Fibre Class 2 Handicap (1000m), Winner – Toronto Rain, Trainer Craig Weeding. Jockey: Connor Murtagh.
$13,000 Friends of Hay Jockey Club Maiden Plate (1200m). Winner – Khumbu , Trainer Craig Weeding, Jockey: Connor Murtagh.
$16,000 Bendigo Bank Benchmark 58 Handicap (1200m), Winner – Solvere, Trainer: Dan McCarthy, Jockey: Johnny Kissick.
$20,000 Tapper Agri Services Hay Cup (1400m) Winner – Controversial Miss, Trainer Craig Weeding, Jockey: Connor Murtagh,
$16,000 Australian Food & Agriculture Co Ltd Benchmark 45 Handicap (1400m), Winner – Dark Legacy, Trainer Craig Weeding, Jockey: Connor Murtagh.
Ian Lloyd (centre) was presented with Life Membership of the Hay Jockey Club, for his many years of work for the Club, by club president Cameron Clark. Mr Lloyd has been behind the sound for Hay Races and Hay show for 40 years, and always goes above and beyond. Image: The Riverine Grazier/Margie McClelland.
Another highlight of the day was Ian Lloyd being awarded Life Membership of the Hay Jockey Club, in recognition of over 40 years of service.
Ian is an integral part of race days, with his family having been in the sound business since 1946 when his father Geoff set up after leaving the Air Force following World Ward II.
Geoff was involved with the Hay Jockey Club from the 1970s, doing essentially what Trackpix acing Photography does today, and this then led to Ian providing the sound system for the past 40-plus years.
Ian works tirelessly on the days leading up to and including race day, setting up the PA systems around the course, including Fashions on the Fields, supplying power to them, setting up Sky Channel, and connecting it to the Big Screen, supplying power to all the bookmakers, the TAB van, and the champagne caravan and has all televisions around the course and in the steward’s room ready and raring for race day.
On top of this, he is always available to troubleshoot anything that goes wrong the day before and during the race day in a most agreeable and pleasant manner.
In an emotional presentation, current Hay Jockey Club President Cam Clark described Ian ‘as a man who always goes above and beyond’.
Photo gallery images: The Riverine Grazier / Cheyenne Hurst / Margie McCellland - Photo prints and enlargements available by calling 02 6993 1002.
