Left: Cranbourne trainer John Gilligan with his gelding St Huberts after its win in the Bundy Rum Maiden on Friday.By Brad Kingsbury
CRANBOURNE racing identities had a good day at Pakenham’s annual Christmas race meeting last Friday.
Locally based trainers John Gilligan and John Leek prepared winners on the day and jockey Mark Flaherty joined the festivities with a superb ride to boot home Leek’s stayer Dawson Road in the fourth event.
Flaherty rode a smart race to steal an early lead and punch the horse to the line, scoring by a neck over Green Bean with Tully Spur two lengths away in third place.
It was Leek’s first winner since returning to the trainers’ ranks after a three-month suspension and he and wife Andrea were ecstatic after the race.
The Leeks left the tactics to Flaherty and he came through with flying colours.
“I went a bit early and got to the front but they were dawdling so it was the right move,” the winning hoop said.
“He laboured a bit at the end but he showed plenty of heart when he was challenged.”
Gilligan’s maiden runner St Hubert, ridden by Danny Adam, put in a big finish to run away with the third race despite starting a $31 outsider in the 1750-metre race.
Mornington trainer Fran Houlahan also enjoyed her visit to Pakenham, preparing a double on the day.
A big crowd of more than 1500 including almost 1000 people celebrating Christmas in marquees was in attendance and club officials were thrilled with the response.
