Decker takes 2024 Hay Cup honors

Ross Purcell trained ‘Decker’ won the 2024 Hay Cup at the annual race day on the weekend. Images: The Riverine Grazier / Margie McClelland.

By Krista Schade

Decker, the eight-year-old bay gelding trained by Jerilderie’s Ross Purcell took out the Elders Hay Cup at the annual spring race day on Saturday.

Josh Curtis, son of racing royalty Allan Curtis and Lisa Gee, is part of the Purcell stable of trainers and was at the track on Saturday.

Decker passed the post ahead of Nathan Hobson trained King and King, in the 1400 metre race.

It was the second win of the day for Purcell trained racers, with Lady Rozay taking line honours in the first race of the day the Lugsdin Toyota, Auto Gay Hay and Australian Food and Fibre Class 2 Handicap.

The gelding was ridden by jockey Sarah McDonough, who rode to three wins on the day – Decker, Lady Rozay and Tough James.

Well-known local trainer John Cooper was also in Hay for race day, with his Just One Look running fourth in the Hay Cup.

Below: John Cooper (jnr) presenting the John Cooper Memorial trophies to jockey Sarah McDonough and trainer Josh Curtis.

Above: Coming down the straight in the 2024 Hay Cup at Hay Racecourse on Saturday’s annual race day.

Results:

Race 1 (Lugsdin Toyota, Auto Go Hay and Australian Food and Fibre Class 2 Handicap) – First Lady Rozay, second Starsheena, third A Tender Lady.

Race 2 (DG Harrison Engineering Doug Comb Memorial and Friends of the Hay Jockey Club Maiden Handicap) – First Rowdy Shebang, second Paulsin, third Watiki Bull.

Race 3 (Community Bank Hay Hillston and Coleambally Benchmark 58 Handicap) – First Dancing with Kitty, second Toojay, third Classy Rebel.

Race 4 (Elders Hay Cup) – First Decker, second King and King, third Smooth Flight.

Race 5 (Australian Food and Agriculture Benchmark 45 Handicap) – First Tough James, second Arachidi, third Parnassus.