Chestnut Road is an Isa Cup winner but even with high expectations the jockey was impressed with the astonishing margin. 

Ballard arrived with the seven-year-old gelding knowing he was in for a shot. The horse trained by Steven Royes was a favourite to win with a starting price of $2.10 and had won the Isa Cup in June. 

The local jockey thought he had a good collection of rides up his sleeve but none were able to come through for him except for a few placings. 

“It was nice to get a winner up,” Ballard said. 

“He’s (Chestnut Road) is quite a smart horse, that fella. 

“He’s got a lot of quality about him. I rode him in the lead up to the Mount Isa Cup, and he went on to win the Mount Isa Cup. 

“He was obviously going to be very competitive but it is probably fair to say his win on Saturday was above and beyond my expectations of him.” 

6.8 lengths was Eye Winsome and jockey Darren Evans. In third place and 10.8 lengths behind the leader was A Dependant and Emma Bell. 

The first race of the day was the 800 metre Maiden Plate won by Messines Rose and jockey Darren Evans. Their starting price had been at $5. 

The starting favourite of $2.30 was further behind in sixth place. Perdanerite was 4.6 lengths behind the lead. 

In second place was Shoo Fly Shoo and Emma Bell at 1.8 lengths behind Messines Rose. Their starting price had been $13. 

The 1400 metre Benchmark 60 Handicap was won by Show Us A Smile and jockey Tamara Tincknell. 

It was barely a win. It was toughly contested by Ballard and Steering, who were closely behind by a fifth of a length. 

Starting favourite Your Way Or Mine was further behind by 8.5 lengths and in sixth place. 

The 1200 metre class 2 handicap was won by How Big’s The Hole, who had a starting price of $6.

The winner was ridden by jockey Darren Evans. 

They were 1.5 lengths ahead of Carry To Gold and Ballard – who missed out again but was later to have the McKinlay Cup. Carry To Gold started out at $5. Starting favourite Damgoodchoice was further back in sixth place and 13 lengths behind the leader. 

The 1000 metre Benchmark 45 Handicap was won by Cobungra Boy, ridden by Rachel Shred. 

They had started out as favourites with a price of $4, and were a length ahead of Rubidus and Ballard. 

The 1000 metre Open Handicap started at $9 and was won by Go Sai and jockey Emma Bell. Their starting price was high compared to the formidable combination they beat by a length. 

Ballard – fresh from his Cup win – rode Five O’Clock. They had started at $2.70.