By David Nagel
The Pakenham Racing Club recently hosted the 2022/23 Pakenham Trainer’s Association Awards Ceremony with some high performers recognised for their outstanding achievements last season.
From champion trainer Peter Moody, through to first-time winners such as Mitch Leek and Robert Palm, the awards captured the diverse nature of the training ranks at Pakenham.
This was also encapsulated with other awards throughout the evening, with Shae Dinunzio winning the Young Achiever of the Award, while heart-and-soul Pakenham trainer Tom Scanlon won an Industry Contribution Award for his 56 years in the caper.
Jockey Arron Lynch secured the Performance of the Year after riding five winners on the six-race program at hanging Rock on New Year’s Day, while Leek and Palm were recognised for training their first winners in their own right.
Apprentice jockey Emily Pozman rode her first winner last season, while trainer Simon Lee had the best strike-rate amongst the training ranks.
Reece Goodwin was awarded the Trainer of the Year, for trainers with zero to 20 horses, while Moody trained 116 winners for the season to claim the overall honours.
Moody’s freak galloper, I Wish I Win, claimed Horse of the Year status, with victories in the Golden Eagle and TJ Smith Stakes in Sydney among his four victories in 2022/23.
