News

Tears shed for Lauren after Elkaydee salutes

4th May 2012

Illawarra Mercury - Adam Pendgilly - Friday, 4 May 2012

An emotional Louise Dean cheered as Elkaydee, the horse named in honour of her late daughter Lauren, broke her maiden status on day one of the Wagga Wagga Cup Carnival yesterday.

The striking two-year-old filly angled clear in the straight under the urgings of crack apprentice Adam Hyeronimus before edging out the Canberra-trained Serb Candy by a long head.

It was the Kembla-based Dean’s first winner since Late Starter won at Bong Bong in November.

Elkaydee debuted with a fifth at Kembla Grange in January, then finished eighth behind Cavalry Rose in the rich Inglis Classic at Rosehill later that month.

She slipped under punters’ guards in yesterday’s 1200m race, returning $43.20 and $5.40 on the tote. Late Starter provided Dean with a day to remember when running third behind Newell in the class 1 & maiden plate (1600m).

Bede Murray’s quest for Wagga Gold Cup glory with World Wide started on a bright note when Doubt Not won the maiden handicap (1400m). Darci’s Money, Devon and Sir Peppercorn, all from the Murray yard, filled minor placings in their respective races.

Meantime, Illawarra Turf Club committeeman Matt Howlin was toasting the efforts of his star jumper Vindicating yesterday after it erased memories of last year’s Grand National disaster at Warrnambool.

Howlin part-owns the eight-year-old, which finished second behind Awakening Dream in the $250,000 feature. Vindicating, previously prepared by Murray, tossed rider Gavin Bedggood in 2011.