FROM a humble beginning way back in 1982, the Coonawarra vignerons cup meeting here at the Penola racecourse has never looked back since.
It has become the most prestigious race meeting of the Limestone Coast summer and even the weather gods look set to smile on both the Penola racing club and the Coonawarra vignerons.
“It’s looking good with a forecast temperature in the low 30s,” Penola racing club secretary Belinda Holland stated earlier this week.
“The track looked awesome when I saw it last week.
“The Cooper’s marquee is all sold out, however I believe there are still a few seats left in the huge vigneron’s marquee.
“There will be shuttle buses running to and from the course from the two local hotels to save people from driving who want a relaxing day out.”
Given ideal conditions, a crowd of around 2000 people is expected to pack the course, nearly double that of last year when 41 degree heat had a marked effect on the attendance.
“We will keep watering the track in the days leading up to the meeting and we want to get back on side with trainers after the last meeting was abandoned,” PRC committeeman Rob Lepley said.
Lepley will saddle up the only locally-trained runner on the eight-race card with his five-year-old mare Cosmic Charm.
She was a late scratching at the barrier last Friday at Hamilton when she bashed into the starting stalls and Lepley nominated her tomorrow for both the Coonawarra vignerons cup and the BM 60 handicap, both over 1700 metres.
Cosmic Charm was briefly in the care of Naracoorte trainer Sue Jaensch while Lepley was sidelined through injury but returned to his stable just after Christmas.
“Had she won at Hamilton last Friday I would have run her in the Coonawarra cup, but will now concentrate on the BM 60 race,” he added.
CUP FIELD
NUMBERS DOWN
OWL On The Prowl from the Murray Bridge stable of Jordan Frew heads the weights in tomorrow’s Coonawarra vignerons cup.
A field of only nine, well below the original 15 nominations, will face the starter with horses from as far afield as Murray Bridge and Horsham.
Owl On The Prowl struck form with vengeance last spring with wins in the non-tab cups at Jamestown, Manangatang and Wycheproof followed by placings in the more recent Dunkeld and Nhill cups.
With 59 kilograms, Owl On The Prowl certainly had not been missed by the handicapper although the two kilogram claim for apprentice Sophie Logan will assist.
In form Mount Gambier trainer Peter Hardacre will saddle up Tahnee Tiara, a model of consistency from six runs this campaign.
The five-year-old mare has a win (at Donald) and four placings to her credit in that period, including a narrow last start second in Adelaide over 1529 metres to Pretty Glass.
That form should see her start as one of the favourites tomorrow.
From Horsham is the Paul Preusker trained Dangle Lad, down the track at his first four runs this preparation before an excellent third at Moonee Valley last start.
On that occasion, he ran home strongly from sixth on the home turn and it is worth remembering that Dangle Lad won races in Adelaide and at Terang this time last year.
Naracoorte trainer Sue Jaensch has three runners with Costa Lante, winner of last month’s Bordertown cup, as possibly her best chance.
SMALL BUT SELECT FIELD
THE 1300 sprint field (the BM 80) usually produces a decent field and this year is no exception.
This Kid Rocks is a winner at the track and a Moonee Valley winner a couple of years ago but is struggling to regain that form in recent hit outs.
Colac trainer Bill Cerchi has been a regular at Penola meetings over the years and often goes home a winner.
He puts the polish on Royal Spinner, a last to first winner at Terang on New Year’s Day beating Rhythmatic and the pair clash again tomorrow.
One of the main fancies appears to be Bungalally Belle from the Darryl Dodson stable.
A winner in Adelaide in June last year over 1400 metres, Bungalally Belle resumed this campaign with a win in the sprint on Bordertown cup day before failing to beat a runner home at Morphettville last start.
She is much better than that latest offering and should be given another chance tomorrow.
Three last start winners clash in the 1100 metre BM 60 handicap and all will be well fancied by punters.
Grogans Anvil, stablemate of Royal Spinner, is chasing a hat trick of wins following recent victories at Terang and Penshurst.
Brobak returned to winning form at Naracoorte last start to justify heavy backing into the $2 favourite at his third run this campaign.
Longmire landed some good bets in winning his maiden on debut at Naracoorte at that same meeting and does face a rise in class tomorrow.
Perhaps the value runner may be The Other Guy from the Jenny Gow-Whyte stable at Mount Gambier.
The Other Guy resumed with a third at that Naracoorte meeting and then made late ground when second at Hamilton last Friday.
Early Coonawarra Vignerons Cup tip: Dangle Lad
Best bet: The Other Guy
Best outsider: Majestic Ridge
