RACING
By COLIN HODGES
Forbes trainer Barry Molloy who celebrated his 87th birthday during the week had a win with Swilken Bridge on Saturday at the Cootamundra Picnics.
Last on the home turn, Swilken Bridge ($5) was steered through an opening on the rails by Emily Waters to win the 800 metres Twin Hills Stud Trophy Handicap in a close finish from Insane Volt (Michael Wade, $2.80) and Artieos (Dylan Parrott, $1.80 favourite).
During his long and successful career, Barry Molloy has trained many outstanding gallopers including Lake Lugarno, the dam of Swilken Bridge.
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Awarded a Central Districts Horse Of The Year title, Lake Lugarno won 9 races and was placed 9 times from 21 starts with significant wins including the Wellington Town Plate and Orange Cup Day Sprint while the mare won at Canterbury and was also placed on Sydney tracks.
Sadly, Lake Lugarno died after having her only foal, Swilken Bridge.
An incredible feat achieved by Barry Molloy is not ever having a horse beaten at Hawkesbury
Spaced over several years five individual horses trained by Barry Molloy have won at their only start at a Hawkesbury meeting including Royal Treatment which landed a massive betting plunge when ridden by the late Norm Munsie.
Over several generations of the extended Molloy family there have been many outstanding jockeys and trainers including the brother of Barry Molloy, the late Harold “Matey” Molloy the champion country jockey who won the 1964 Doncaster Handicap at Randwick on the grey gelding Persian Puzzle.
Matey Molloy went with trainer Stan Hayden and the owner Mr F C Mendham from Orange to take on the city slickers in the famous race over the Randwick mile and it was a brilliant ride by Molloy to land the big prize.
Near last turning for home in the big field, Matey Molloy found rails runs to dash Persian Puzzle (9/1) to victory by over a length from the Queensland trained Papilio, Florida Keys and Ripa.
Among the unplaced runners were the champion gallopers Time And Tide and Wenona Girl.
