First Narrogin Cup win for Ricky Moss and Jessica Gray after brilliant finish hands Majinika feature success

Majinika finished brilliantly to win the $70,000 Iron Jack Narrogin Cup (1900m) for trainer Ricky Moss and jockey Jessica Gray last Thursday. Narrogin Racing’s biggest thoroughbred race of the season attracted a field of 10 runners but there was drama before the gates opened as short-priced favourite Blackwater Bay was a late scratching. Stewards withdrew the Adam Durrant-trained runner after he was found to be lame in the off-fore before entering the mounting enclosure. Majinika settled last of the nine cup runners after starting awkwardly when the barriers opened and lost one length. Gray waited patiently until the final turn to make her move, asking the 10-year-old gelding for a big effort in the home straight, and he delivered. Majinika, a $6 chance, rocketed home from eighth on the turn, gobbling up the remainder of the field to sprint clear and win by nearly two lengths. Overthought also finished well to run second, beaten by 1.7 lengths, while Roman Flirt filled third place. It was a first Narrogin Cup for trainer Moss and Tenterden-raised Gray, while owner Debbie Garland was ecstatic with the result post-race. Gray stood up in her saddle and saluted prior to the winning post and her celebratory gesture resulted in a $200 fine from the stewards. It was a busy day for the stewards with jockey Simone Altieri fined $250 for using an action that raised her elbow above shoulder height when testing her mount with her whip in race three. Blackwater Bay and Astarba (returned lame in near-fore in race six) will require veterinary clearance before starting in a trial or race again. Rider Shaun O’Donnell finished the eight-race card with a winning double after booting home Duchees Demerit and Blaiszen Cazah. The Chris Stelmach-trained Blaiszen Cazah proved too strong in the concluding stages of the James Squire Handicap (1720m) to win by nearly a length. Duchees Demerit coasted to a dominant 3.7-length win over 1720m, breaking his maiden status at his eighth career start. Durrant scored a victory earlier in the day when the well-supported Mussa won a tight finish to race two. Metro trainer Darren McAuliffe also tasted success in the final race as Private Scene ground out a strong win over 1900m.