SATURDAY’S meeting at the Esperance Bay Turf Club commenced with the running of the Healthway Eat More Fruit Handicap. Publicans Horse was dropped out to last in the early stages by rider Nicole Hopwood and flashed home to win by a head over race favourite Miss Alonso. The three kilogram pull in the weights certainly assisted the Derek Jones galloper over the concluding stages. Local stayer Interrogator battled on well for third.

Only a pint-sized field of four contested the Eat More Veg Handicap over 1600m. Burnzy had the best form but carried top weight of 58kg. He took the outright lead mid race before holding off Danish Currency to score by a neck. Burnzy is part-owned by race callers Peter and Craig Morrison and he has now won two out of three at Esperance. Grasa Express filled third ahead of Key’s Ace who was fourth.

The third event was sponsored by Roger Goss Livestock Transport and 10 horses competed in the 1200m Maiden. Outside Influence was well supported after four consecutive minor placings and was a deserved winner. She was ridden confidently by Peter Farrell and reigned supreme by a length. Helen Harding trained the Quinella with Give It Time battling on well to be the runner-up. Aint No Angel finished three lengths away in third spot and newcomer Sarabella was a nose away in fourth.

The Kalgoorlie – Boulder Racing Club sponsored Race Four, their opening meeting is set down for Saturday March 20. Local three-year-old filly Ron’s Gem was well backed and didn’t let punters down, winning by a head over Put Option who battled on strongly. Outsider Summer Crossing loomed as a winning chance at the 300m mark but peaked on the run to finish third.

The Healthway Go For 2 and 5 Handicap was over 1400m and the first four in betting filled the first four placings. Wing Star parted company with rider Shaun Meeres on the way to the gates and following a veterinary examination the mare was passed fit to be a starter. Just as well too, she was beautifully ridden and proved too strong for Hackett’s Heart, Lord Airlie and Twice The Speed. Well done to local jockey Nicole Hopwood who rode a double. Racing returns to the EBTC this Saturday (January30) with the first race scheduled for approximately 2pm. The following meeting will be another Friday twilight fixture on February 30 with a late start and a late finish.

Horses to follow: Miss Alonso, Danish Currency, Majestaad, Put Option and Wing Star.