Shaun McGruddy may have ridden long-shot Lucy Mae to an unlikely victory, but Pinjarra Park had a win of its own when its track withstood a two-day long downpour and racing still went ahead for their Magic Millions WA Ladies Day on Saturday.
Almost 100mm of rain fell on the track on Thursday and Friday, leaving a grim outlook on Saturday’s chances of racing.
But thanks to a new drainage system implemented as part of track upgrades 10 years ago, Pinjarra Park was able to go forward with its marquee Magic Millions day.
“Keith Jeffreys was the track chairman back in 2007 and he really spearheaded the track upgrades,” Pinjarra Race Club general manager Michael Lodding said.
“We really never had to test it like this but to see the track hold up gives us a lot of confidence that we can still race in bad weather going forward.”
Races in Esperance and York were rained out during the weekend, but the Pinjarra track was lauded for its pristine condition.
McGruddy was the main beneficiary of the track holding up as he guided the $27.80 outsider Lucy Mae to the win.
It was McGruddy’s second straight victory in the $250,000 Magic Millions two-year-old classic, coming a year after he won the first installment of the Pinjarra race aboard The River.
Jarrad Noske also went back-to-back when he took out a win in the $150,000 three-year-old trophy aboard Enchanted Dream.
Pinjarra’s next race meet will see the running of the Chaff City Classic on Sunday, February 26.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
