Denim Street streaked to victory and a track record at Saturday's Forbes races - bringing back memories for trainer Sarah Murray-Leslie.
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The Goulburn trainer watched as the nine-year-old mare broke the 1100 metres electronically timed track record held by Destiny Deauxville since October 2015, and recalled her previous visit to race at a Forbes meeting.
"It was 12 years ago and I was nursing my baby when the horse I trained Moment Of Clarity ridden by Kayla McEwen won the Forbes Cup," Sarah related.
Sydney-based apprentice Julia Presits, formerly from Sweden, was aboard Denim Street ($7) which finished quickly along the rails from well back to win the Can Assist Benchmark 50 Handicap from Japingka (Zara Lewis, $5) and My Shiromi (Brendan Ward, $10).
Prior to the race Gilgandra trainer Bryan T. Dixon announced the well performed ten-year-old mare La La Loopsy would be retired the next day to stud.
Starting the $4.80 favourite in her final race La La Loopsy finished a creditable sixth.
Saturday would have been the Forbes Jockey Club's Spring Race Day but due to the pandemic only essential personnel were allowed on course.
Owners and trainers have demonstrated their appreciation for Forbes going ahead with the meeting by declaring 91 final acceptors and as a result the original six races was extended to seven.
On a day of fast times, Son Of Spartacus (Morrison Family Appreciation Class 2 Handicap) and Well Decorated (Shead & Nicholson Class 2 Handicap) ran identical electronic times of 1.16.35 to break the 1300 metres track record held by Mask Cheval since August 2005.
Ridden by Michael Heagney for Queanbeyan trainer Maree Hopkins, Son Of Spartacus ($5) overtook the leaders close to home to score by a length from Supergaze ( Jake Pracey-Holmes, $9) and My Money Tree (Damon Budler, $9).
Rounding the home turn in third position, the Michael Plummer, Narromine trained Well Decorated (Aaron Sweeney, $11) finished best to account for Fire Shadow (Jordan Mallon, $11) and Say Goodbye (Damon Butler, $8).
Having the second start in a race the Dean Mirfin, Bathurst trained De Forerunner on the strength of a good barrier trial was well backed to win the 1200 metres John "Tractor" Rennick Life Membership Maiden Plate.
From an outside barrier, De Forerunner ( $3.60 ) moved up deep on the final turn before scoring an impressive win from Flashlin (Jordan Mallyon, $13) and Joeycee (Ken Dunbar, $9) which finished nicely.
Gilgandra based apprentice Zara Lewis who started out as a Picnic jockey is going well in the professional ranks and landed her 10th winner when the Bryan Dixon, Gilgandra trained Renzulli won the 1100 metres Flannery's Pharmacy Benchmark 50 Handicap.
Renzulli ($5) swept to the lead in the straight and held on to beat the strong finishing Danish Hussar (Michael Heagney, $9) by a half length with Free Lunch (Kayla Nisbet, $4) in third place.
An outstanding ride by apprentice Ashleigh Stanley played an important role in the win by the Wanda Ings, Bathurst trained Memphis Beau in the 1600 metres Amazing Forbes Class 1 & Maiden Plate.
Travelling midfield, Memphis Beau ( $4.60 ) sprinted along the inside rail to win by four lengths from Marcee ( Michael Heagney,$7.50 ) and Ballet Ticket ( Kayla Nisbet,$8 ).
Prominent southern districts trainer Phil Sweeney from Jerilderie won the 1400 metres Forbes Jockey Club Maiden Plate with Then (Kayla Nisbet, $3.60 favourite) which led throughout to beat Benoni (Clayton Gallagher, $6.50) and Sunsoutgunsout (Michael Heagney, $4.60)The Connie Greig, Dubbo trained Benoni backed up to win the following day at Coonamble, at $61.
Racing at Bathurst (Friday), Narromine (Saturday) and Orange (Tuesday).