Top action, fine weather at the races

Hedland crowds returned to the local track for the Port Hedland Turf Club’s second race meet over the weekend.

Clear skies and magnificent surrounds greeted patrons but the track was more difficult to read for punters ,with more than a few surprises at the BJ Young Earthmoving Race Day on Sunday.

Island Rogue, ridden by Chris Nicoll, broke hearts early, winning race one ahead of Scandal Alert by a length and a half.

Following through were Metallic Finish, Over the Shoulder, Secret Leader and crowd favourite The Tubby Butcher.

Races two and three were tightly packed melees, with jockey Kate Fitzgerald picking up a win on Gone and Got It and Jade McNaught riding past the post to victory on Nanga Parbat — both by less than a length of their rivals.

Riders were spread in race four, with Deday and jockey Kate Fitzgerald claiming a win ahead of their nearest rider by 11/4 lengths — and a full 19 lengths ahead of last place.

Nicoll’s winning ways continued in race five, riding to victory by 13/4 lengths on Tavernier Blue.

The all-important finale, race six, came down to the wire with only a head between winner, Jade McNaught’s Big Cabbage and Marithi Miss in second.

Patrons will return to the track on Sunday, June 17 and Sunday, July 1 but many fashionable types will now be preparing for the 2018 Port Hedland Ladies’ Day on July 22.