Outstanding day for Yendall, Weir combination

HORSHAM Jockey Dean Yendall rode “Shiny Buttons”, trained by Darren Weir, to win the O’Connors Case IH Warracknabeal Cup on Sunday.
“Azkar”, ridden by D. Tourner and trained by R. Blacker, placed second and “Fantastic Porscha”, ridden by N. McLean and trained by J. Symons and S. Laxon, placed third.
The win of “Shiny Buttons”, was like a fairytale, as this was only the fifth start for the reset gelding since overcoming a tendon injury more than a year ago.
Warracknabeal Racing Club director Lance Huebner said “Shiny Buttons” has had many owners, some of whom, have regional connections.
“David Clark, who has worked for race sponsor O’Connor’s, bred the horse, while others with regional connections part own the horse,” Mr Huebner said.
These include Kevin McGuiness, who was born in Warracknabeal and now lives in Ouyen, and Gary Crow, of Underbool, who is closely related to Warracknabeal’s Russell and Gavan Crow.
Mr Huebner said the day had been deemed a success, with attendance, horse numbers and betting turnover all up on last year.
“The on-course tote turnover was up more than 30 percent to $59,940 and the off-course turnover was more than $1.1 million,” Mr Huebner said.
“The combination of Weir and Yendall won four races and placed second in race three, sixth in race seven and fourth in race 10,” he said.
Race one of the day, the Warracknabeal Herald Maiden, was won by “Trustam”, who was again ridden and trained by Yendall and Weir. “Curragh King”, ridden by C. Robertson and trained by C. Kelly, placed second and “Love to Learn”, who was ridden by R. Williams and trained by J. Dalton, placed third.
The Become a Member Maiden Plate was won by “Blaze it Up”, ridden by J. Lyon and trained by A. Chibnall, while “Tap in Birdie”, ridden by M. Pegus and trained by K. Harris placed second and “De Pony”, ridden by R. Williams trained by A. Browell, placed third.
The third race of the day the Thank Yarriambiack Shire Maiden, was won by “Prie Dieu”, who was ridden by L. Meech and trained by J. Symons and S Laxon, while “Bellasinga”, ridden by D. Yendall and trained by D. Weir, placed second and “Horse Power One”, ridden by C. Robertson and trained by R. Challis, placed third.
“Formidable Force”, ridden by C. Robertson and trained by P. Gelagotis, won the O’Connor’s Mitsubishi Maiden while “Chickitty Chick”, ridden by H. Mc Kechnie and trained by G. Baker placed second and “Bird Rock”, ridden by D. Yendall and trained by M. Williams, placed third.
The Best TM Maiden Plate as won by “Lovasova”, who was again ridden and trained by the winning combination of Yendall and Weir, while “Irish Lute”, ridden by C. Robertson and trained by F. Ryan, placed second and “Lubin Gin Fizz”, ridden by N. McLean and trained by I. Nolte, placed third.
The www.racingnetwork.com.au Maiden was won by “I’m Handsome Too” and was ridden by D. Thornton and trained by G. Thornton while “Black Ferrari”, who was ridden by D. Yendall and trained by M. Williams placed second and “Emerald Jim”, ridden by H. Mc Kechnie and trained by A. Clark, placed third.
“Koe” from New Zealand won the Fishers Supa IGA Handicap and was ridden by N. McLean and trained by T. and K. O’Sullivan. “Digby Road”, ridden by M. Pegus and trained by B. and S. Wilde, placed second while “Flash Madica”, ridden by L. Meech and trained by A. Shillito placed third.
Race nine, the Warracknabeal Pharmacy Handicap was won by “King Buddy”, again ridden by the winning combination of Yendall and Weir, while “Aristides”, ridden by O. Ay and trained by E. Jusufovic, placed second and “Hill of Faith”, ridden by M. Pegus and trained by A. Browell, placed third.
The final race of the day, the Bentley Group Handicap was won by “I’m Mysterious”, who was ridden by D. Thornton and trained by G. Thornton, while “Sandhill Chief”, ridden by D. Tourner and trained by S. Turner placed second and “Ronald John”, ridden by C. Puls and trained by B. Doherty, placed third.