Record crowds flock to Merton New Year Cup meeting

RACEGOERS were out in force for the annual Merton Amateur Turf Club's 2024 New Year's Day race meeting, and to see Euroa jockey Tracey Johnson scoring a double with two winning rides. Bendigo jockey Craig Kirkpatrick stormed home to take out his fourth Merton Cup win riding Willetts. The 159th race meeting was a huge success, according to the club's president, Jason Wheatley, who said, "It was a good crowd, and because it is once a year, people definitely make an effort to get here". The fine weather and a good track were a bonus. For many, it was well worth travelling from near and far to take in the atmosphere of the six-race program with family and friends under the shady elms on a hot summer's day. Tracey Johnson had a successful day winning the second race, the Oakdale Meat Trophy Race, on Low Level Flying and following on in race three, the Bet 365 Open Trophy, riding Swift Hit. Her family were there, including her two young daughters, one of whom underwent treatment last year for brain cancer, to make her wins even more special. The Elders Merton Cup, the second last race on the card with eight starters, was an impressive effort by Willetts, trained by Bendigo's Aileen Vanderfeen and ridden by Craig Kirkpatrick. Craig's family from Bendigo was on hand to cheer him on, including his daughter Abbie as a strapper. Riding this horse was extra special because the Kirkpatricks including Craig, his wife Stacey and daughter Abbie, are joint owners with Willetts' trainer. A presentation by Tim Homann, a representative from Elders, the sponsor of the cup, was made trackside to the winning trainer and jockey. Merton Race Club secretary Natalie Burton took the opportunity to thank everyone involved, "We are a small committee, so it has been hectic for us constantly four days straight, and tomorrow is packing up day". In between races, competition was keen among entrants in the ever-popular Fashions on the Fields from the "Tiny Tots Four and Under" through to the "Lady Race Goer of the Day Aged 40 Plus". Fashion choices ranged from super casual, such as men's pyjamas bought from a large local chain store to more elegant attire. With many entries in some categories, which forced heats to be run in some cases, the judges, Michelle Jurgens from Bendigo and Anna Dealen from Gobur, had a difficult task choosing winners and runner-ups. Whatever the dress sense, plenty of good humour and camaraderie were displayed throughout the day. Sophie Bowe, a Yarck businesswoman and passionate racegoer, took on the first-time Merton Races fashions coordinator role. "Having grown up in Yarck and loved attending the races every year, it's been an amazing way to give back to the community that incorporates my passion for style and horses into one exciting event," Sophie said. The contribution of Gwenda Tait from Bonnie Doon as fashion coordinator for the previous five years.