MV On Track 2018

ON TRACK MAGAZINE 47 March 23, 2018 will be an evening Geelong horseman Andrew Murray won’t forget quickly. Sunday Escape, the only horse in his stable had to overcome the time of 55.12 held by Mile High (Heat 3) and Angry Gee (Heat 10) to take out the $55,000 cash on offer from Ladbrokes in the last of 16 heats. The first tie in the history of the 55 Second Challenge looked likely and trainer of Mile High, Adelaide based John Macmillan, was trackside for the action, with Angry Gee’s trainer Jerome Hunter, winner of two heats that season, on vacation but watching from afar. It was an agonising wait for the South Australian and Hunter who both had one hand on the cheque, however in a cruel twist of fate for them, Murray’s Sunday Escape recorded a time of 54.75, 0.37 seconds faster than the time to beat and a result that saw the cheque taken out of the two trainers’ hands to now go home with Murray. The win was a fairy tale result for Murray. A $55,000 cheque for a trainer is comparable to winning one of the big Group 1 features and as a hobby trainer, it’s a needle in a haystack odds for Andrew Murray. In an unmeasurable display of sportsmanship, despite Murray’s horse costing John Macmillan $27,500 and the disappointment of travelling from Adelaide to simply watch the race, Macmillan offered to strap Sunday Escape after the race while Murray, who was on his lonesome, could receive his prize. It wasn’t lost on those trackside and on social media, with Macmillan receiving overwhelmingly praise for his actions. Racecaller Matt Hill summed it up best when describing Craig Williams to be ‘riding with an angel on his shoulder’ as Magic Consol ran away with the Travis Harrison Cup in June – a race named in honour of Williams’ late cousin. Williams shed a tear as he remembered the talented apprentice rider who was tragically killed 22 years ago in a car accident. “He was an outstanding person and outstanding jockey,” Williams said of Harrison. “He meant so much to so many people. “It’s a huge, huge thrill, not just for me but for the whole family... that win was very emotional and so special,” Williams said. The win had been 12 months in the waiting for Williams, after Paul Preusker’s stable star had been beaten in a photo finish in same race last year. Many of the Harrison family were on course to congratulate Williams and pay tribute to Travis’ memory and the MVRC was delighted to be able to host them on the day. MURRAY ESCAPES WITH LADBROKES 55 SECOND CHALLENGE MAGIC CONSOL PROVIDES WILLIAMS WITH A SENTIMENTAL WINNER