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By Colin Hodges

Cowra Cup day on Sunday belonged to local jockey Mathew Cahill who not only won the feature event on Mathrin, but to the delight of his legion of fans, half the races on the eight-race program.

For the second year in succession, Mathew Cahill has also won the Reg Paine Memorial Jockey Challenge named in honour of the champion Cowra jockey who passed away in 2022.

Very satisfying for Mathew Cahill was winning the 1700m Breakout River Meats Cowra Cup on Mathrin for Wagga Wagga trainer Michael Travers, a former successful jockey who at one stage was based at Cowra for about eight years.

Victory Roll, twice a Sydney winner last winter, was in front close to home, however, Mathrin ($9.50) brilliantly ridden by Mathew Cahill came from last with a powerful finish on the inside to beat Victory Roll (Shaun Guymer, $2.70 favourite) by a short head with Astunner (Damon Budler, $3.70) a half length away third.

Jockey Mathew Cahill - landed four winners at Cowra on Sunday. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)

Backing up from a last start win at Orange, the Neil Osborne, Goulburn-trained filly Helluva Teen had Cahill aboard when winning the 950m Cowra Bowling Club Benchmark 58 Handicap.

Crossing quickly to the lead, Helluva Teen ($5) travelled well for Cahill and safely held off The Mooch (Ken Dunbar, $8.50) and Yael’s Delight (Teaghan Martin, $13) in the run home.

Another top ride by Mathew Cahill in the 1375m Lucky 88 Racing Class 3 Handicap when the Ross Lomax, Mudgee-trained Grins ($8.50) from a wide barrier found a good position before switching around the leaders heels and breaking clear to win by a length from I’m Scarlett (Mikayla Weir, $11) and Onya Lionel (Damon Budler, $8).

Arguably, the best was saved for last when the family horse Railway Avenue won the final event, the 1200m Mac Property Country Boosted Benchmark 50 Handicap.

Bred and owned by Margaret Cahill and her daughter Cowra trainer Kathryn Cahill, Railway Avenue was ridden by Mathew Cahill for his mother and sister.

Fifth around the home turn, Railway Avenue ($14 to $12 ) steamed down the outside to win by a half length from Starane (Clayton Gallagher, $4.60) and the leader Pushalot (Claire Ramsbotham, $2.80 to $2.15 favourite).

From the cheering over the final 300m it seemed like most of Cowra township had backed Railway Avenue!

Mathew Cahill later explained it was a sentimental win as Railway Avenue was where the family lived before moving from Wellington to Cowra many years ago while Sunday was the birthday of his father the late Ossie Cahill, a long time very successful jockey and trainer.

To race on a magnificent turf track prepared by Jason McVicar and Mat Rush, trainers came from far and wide including Craig Widdison from Wondonga, Victoria to win the feature sprint the 1200m Cowra Lamb-Cowra Japan Cup with Doogan’s Design.

With the vastly experienced Brendan Ward in the saddle, Doogan’s Design ($5.50 to $8.50) led throughout to score by a length from Lang Park (James Innes Jnr, $7) and Feirme Prince (Clayton Gallagher, $8).

Bathurst trainer Gayna Williams and jockey Ashleigh Stanley kept their winning run going when Talihina Sky, a newcomer to the stable, breezed home in the 950m Aussie Hotel Maiden Plate.

Unplaced in three starts in Victoria, Talihina Sky ($7 to $10) led for home and cleared out to win by over five lengths from Initiate (Zac Wadick, $3.90) and Ghielmi (Nick Heywood, $3.30 to $3.10 fav).

The other winners were the Todd Smart, Canberra-trained O’Hellyeah (James Innes Jnr, $4.20) in the 1200m Cowra Motors Country Boosted Maiden Handicap and the Brad Widdup, Hawkesbury-trained Calyx Rose (Zac Waddick, $3.10) in the 1375m Winkle Draper and Owen Murray Memorial Super Maiden Plate.

Parkes will race on Saturday and Bathurst on Friday 31st January.