- The last Riccarton Park racemeeting of 2020/21 was held on a very testing Heavy11 with a 6.6 penetrometer after a very dull and drizzly June had followed the weather bomb on the last three days of May. The day itself was fine and sunny, much enjoyed by the strong crowd in attendance.
- The days feature was the Greenwood Amberley Cup with Southland’s TAPPY’S ONE backing up from a win at Phar Lap Raceway on Thursday to make it two wins in the week. Chris Johnson rode again carrying a 1.5 kg rehandicap for trainers Kerry and Ian Taplin.
- Local training stalwart Kevin Hughes (see image) was resplendent in a multi coloured attire as he recorded a career milestone of 500 training wins in the days opener. Loyal stable client and great Club supporter Nigel Babbage owned the winner RUSSIAN FABLE on day he was absent attending his mother’s funeral. Stable apprentice Sanu Toolooa off the scene recently with a nasty injury gained just reward for his dedication.
- The Smiths Hire Open Handicap for the sprinters was won by OUR GIRL GILLY who is putting a good record together with 5 wins from only 16 starts for Matthew and Michael Pitman. Stable apprentice Wesley Papier rode claiming his 4kg allowance which was of help in the heavy going.
- A big syndicate welcomed another Southlander PALMETTO to the winners stall in the Janet Francis Two-year-old. Trainer Sally McKay had sent the first starter to Riccarton Park trainer Andrew Carston 10 days earlier to get its barrier certificate and the rest as they say is history. Local apprentice Rohan Mudhoo was the pilot.
- Mudhoo along with champion Chris Johnson both rode a double whilst all eight races were won by eight different trainers.
