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By Colin Hodges

In the space of six weeks, the Jane Clement, Armidale-trained seven year old gelding Macleay has won two country Cups as a rank outsider.

Starting at $61 Macleay won the Moree Cup and after unplaced runs at Newcastle and Dubbo, returned a $51 TAB dividend when winning the $75,000 Imperial Hotel Coonabarabran Cup.

Racing in front of a very big crowd at Coonabarabran on Sunday in the 1600m Cup, Zounile led the 12-horse field from Smart Shot, Macleay and Burdekin while the $2.15 favourite Dances With Hooves was near last in the early stages.

Macleay (Mollie Fitzgerald) in his Moree Cup win. Image by Bradley Photographers

Turning for home, Dances With Hooves looked a chance when pulled out wide, however, it was Macleay given a charmed run on the rails by apprentice Shannen Llewelyn, charging to the line to win by over a length from Rhythm Is A Dancer (Clayton Gallagher, $2.90), Smart Shot (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $9) and Zounile.

While the ride by Shannen Llewellyn was outstanding, equally as impressive was the exhibition by another apprentice Chelsea Hillier when winning the 1100m Expo Cup Day Sprint on the Rod Northam, Scone-trained Jacenza.

Near last and behind a wall of horses at the top of the straight, the $3.40 favourite Jacenza was pushed through a very narrow opening on the rails over the concluding stages by Chelsea Hillier to defeat Life’s A Party (Ashley Morgan, $4.60) and Scarzel (Cobi Vitler, $14).

After arriving in Australia from Wales the first meeting Ashley Morgan rode at was Coonabarabran.

Now a leading jockey, Morgan was back in town to win the 1600m Barrons Tyres & Reggies Hotel Baradine Class 3 Handicap on Wanda River for Tamworth trainer Sue Grills.

Coming from midfield, Wanda River ($2.45 fav) finished best to beat Ellenmac (Clayton Gallagher, $5) and Tallawah (Georgina McDonnell, $4.60).

When he retired earlier this year, Gilgandra trainer Leo Harland handed over his small team including his six-time winner Patrick May to his granddaughter Gaya-Lee Burgers.

The now 8yo gelding Patrick May starting at $17 and with Dylan Stanley in the saddle, gave Gaye-Lee Burgers her first winner as a trainer when leading throughout to beat Tupou (Zoe Hunt, $7) and Vis I Do (Ashley Morgan, $4.60) in the 1400m Brad Edwards Air Conditioning Showcase 66 Handicap.

The Keady and Lyons families were loyal clients of the legendary Coonamble trainer the late John Lundholm and they now have their horses, including Plenitude, trained at Dubbo by John’s grandson Clint Lundholm.

A last start winner at Coonamble, Plenitude (Clayton Gallagher, $3.20) wore down Exonumia (Aaron Bullock, $2.80 fav) and Prince Of Sepang (Shannen Llewellyn, $12) to win the 1200m Marc Hawkins/Evans Equestrian -Max Hawkins Memorial Class 2 Plate at Coonamble.

At the highly successful Coonabarabran meeting, Tamworth trainer Cody Morgan had a winning double with Got The Smarts (Billy Cray, $10) and Poseidon’s Son (Shannen Llewellyn, $2.50 fav) while Dubbo trainer Brett Robb won with Seven Mile Missile ($3.60) ridden by Georgina McDonnell.

Meanwhile, Dubbo race this Saturday and next Tuesday (5th November).