THE finish to the 2019 Bedourie Cup on September 14 proved a truly cosmopolitan affair when runners from three different locations filled the placings.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Nyngan-trained Austin ($3.60) proved best of the contenders to win by three-quarters of a length, much to the delight of trainer Rodney Robb.
Ridden by apprentice Wendy Peel, Austin set a record time of 1 minute 34.84 seconds to beat the Mount Isa-trained Loud Enough ($3.60) into second spot.
With Tim Brummell riding Loud Enough for trainer Steven Royes, they had a margin of one and a half lengths over the third placed Arigold, trained in Miles by Bevan "Billy" Johnson and ridden by Dakota Graham.
It was Austin's 10th win of a career spanning 53 starts, from which he has also harvested another 16 minor placings to give him a top three finish at almost every second outing.
The cup pay of $12,800 has pushed his track earnings beyond $166,000.
Besides adding to Peel's income and trophy cabinet, Austin was also the second leg of a winning double for her because she also rode Enjoyable to win the Barrett Memorial Open Handicap (1000m).
Longreach trainer Richard Simpson was also in peak form, finding time in the winning stall after two races through Kaos Agent in the Class B (1000m) and Leo's Express in the Benchmark 55 Handicap (1200m).
Cloncurry was another place for doubles on the same day for jockeys Dan Ballard and Ric McMahon.
Ballard, logical heir to his dad Keith as the King of the West's riding ranks, booted home Crystal Bear, trained by Jim Jackson, in the Benchmark 50 (1000m) and Believe It Or Not (Denise Ballard) in the Class 3 Plate (1200m).
McMahon, once based in Brisbane and touted as a future Group 1 winner, was aboard winners Laundromat Joe for Julia Creek trainer Tanya Parry in the Maiden (1000m) and Le Drama (Jay Morris in Mount Isa) in the Open Handicap (1200m).
Two trainers, who need little introduction, were winners at Morven. Legend Charlie Prow saddled I Am A Lad before it won the Benchmark 66 (1000m) with apprentice Anna Bakos in the saddle.
A bit later on the card Craig Smith captured the Cup (1400m) with Potemkin (Shane McGovern). Potemkin beat Wicked Woody (Brooke Richardson) by a nose in a tricky finish and Oggie (Joshua Morrow) was one and a half lengths back in third.
The Oakey stable of Bradley Hudson was a two-time winner with Swift Response in the Graham and Ian Sheppard Memorial (1000m) and American Summer in the Doug O'Hara Memorial.