The running of the $160,000 Wyong Gold Cup last week brought back memories of another big race held at Wyong 25 years ago.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In July 1991 the Australian Airlines Jockeys Invitation featured a star studded line up of top class riders including ex New Zealanders Greg Childs and Gary Willetts,Damien Oliver from Melbourne and Chris Munce, Peter Losh and Mel Schumacher from Brisbane.
Much to the joy of his legion of fans in the central west, Bill Aspros from Bathurst won the Invitation race, riding Our Ambition for Taree trainer Ross Stitt.
Our Ambition had won three days before at Port Macquarie and Ross Stitt only decided to back the gelding up at Wyong with Bill Aspros the rider after a telephone call from the race club.
A huge crowd attended the meeting including a host of Government and other dignitaries and during the day the new $6 million "Paul Levick Grandstand" was officially opened.
Reared at Coonamble, Bill Aspros became apprenticed to Neil Mulley at Bathurst and the first of his winners came as a 15 year old and included Inca Lad at Bathurst and Talbragar River at Trundle.
A long time champion jockey, Bill Aspros won multiple premierships and also won a Group one race in Sydney on Turridu for Hawkesbury trainer Gary Frazer.
Bil Aspros was forced to retire from race riding in the late 1990's after suffering serious injuries in race falls.
The $10,000 Collarenebri Cup over 1400 metres features at the annual Collarenebri meeting on Saturday.
Fondly remembered will be husband and wife Joe and Jane Willis who both passed away in April after more than 60 years involvement with racing and the Coolarenebri Jockey Club.
Joe Willis was a top trainer, his outstanding gallopers including Shah, the winner of over 30 races in the 1960's and Willdell, also the winner of more than 30 races in the 1980's.
More recently Welsh Edition won 13 races including the Moree, Narrabri and Barraba Cups in 2002 and the Nyngan and Collarenebri Cups in 2004.
Dedicated to the Collarenebri Club, Joe and Jane Willis for many years spent countless days at the racecourse caring for the track and gardens.
At Birdsville Cup meeting in outback Queensland on Sunday, Nyngan trainer had a winning double, Nordic Red and Jen See See. Nordic Red ($2.00 fav) ridden by Robb's apprentice Clayton Gallagher won the $12,500 Maiden Handicap (1000 metres) while Jen See See ($2.40 fav) ridden by Dubbo jockey Kody Nestor won the $15,000 Class 1 Handicap (1200 metres). Kody Nestor also won the final event on Peritus ($2.00 fav.)