It is always great to get a winner on Jericho Cup Day, the meaning behind the day and atmosphere on the track is something else. This year we were fortunate enough to get a double with Colour Our World and Loose On Gin both saluting. After a massive amount of rain both the day before and morning of the races the field numbers fell away with scratchings, however Matthew was confident both horses would handle the heavy conditions.
Colour Our World ridden by Linda Meech jumped from barrier one and went forward to be the narrow leader on the inside when settling. She had company all of the way but kept going to win the Harry Bell Memorial 1400m maiden by four lengths. Loose On Gin was in the final race on the card, the 1400m benchmark 64 handicap Goodbye Albany Farewell Australia. Ridden by two kilo claiming apprentice Ryan Houston he jumped fast from barrier five but couldn’t cross. Taking up a mid field position five lengths off the leaders, he made his move at the 600m mark coming three wide around the turn where he joined in on straightening and kept going to hold on by almost a length.
Congratulations to the connections of both horses. If you haven’t been to Warrnambool for the Jericho, we would strongly advise to mark it on your racing calendar for next year- it is a great day out.