New rider Andrew Read wins in a tight finish.
A very good field of 42 turned up today for the first handicap race of the year. 3 laps of the main circuit then out and back Nobles Rd finish in Larcombes Rd.
The limit group started 16 minutes in front of scratch today with a solid south west blowing which grew stronger throughout the race. The wind was too strong in the end for the most of the limit group which broke up early with the wind and the well paced and working 10.30 group of Andrew Read, Darren Williams Phil Preston Frank Gasperic and Barry Clay. This group also including Jeremy Tachell (C) soon became the Bunch to chase for the rampaging scratch groups The second scratch group of Nick Brown (C) Andrew Goodwin Jeff Miller Richard Taylor (Eur) Tony French and Kane Airey were holding a good pace and making up good ground and catching the third scratch group on Greys rd the last time. This group plus a few of the third scratch group worked well and were slowing getting the two leading groups in sight. After passing a few struggling riders up misery Lane for the last time and Nobles rd it took a big effort from Nick Brown and David Pike up the last rise on Nobles rd to ride away from the rest of second scratch. The 7.30 group were caught before the turn into Larcombes Rd then leaders we caught by Nick and David right at the finish line. Andrew Read just won over a fast finishing Nick Brown and David Pike not far behind. Scratch bunch finished less than a minute behind.
1st Andrew Read (10.30 min) 1:26.26
2nd Nick Brown (2min)
3rd David Pike (4.30)
4th Darren Williams (10.30)
5th Jeremy Tachell (16min)
6th Phil Preston (10.30)
7th Ian Amsden (10.30)
8th Tony French (2min)
9th Jeff Miller (2min)
10th Andrew Goodwin (2min)
FT Daryl Burns 1:16.42
Well done to all for a great race. Lamingtons and pies were enjoyed afterwards. The lamb master Andrew Baker didn’t have too much to day for the Australia Day Celebration.
No racing next week due to the Cadel race week weekend.
Don’t forget about the crit races Thursday night.