Henry Dwyer is always going to have that winner on his CV – Asfoora - at the prestigious Royal meeting at Ascot and indeed memories, saying hello and chatting with the King (Charles III that is) who had that very race named after him.
But that was so last year – 2024.
So, if you are going to start the new year, 2025, with some sort of panache, why not do it at Burrumbeet, not far from your hometown Ballarat, and throw in something as well at King Island, in the middle of Bass Strait.
There might not be anything quite as regal about Burrumbeet, where they race only once a season but where a new year aways starts with their cup meeting, this one for the 135th time.
And sure, it is “King” Island, but not from the House of Windsor, but one Governor Phillip Gidley King, who probably never thought a racetrack on the North Road on his Island would host a Cup meet for near on 140 years. We will get back to Henry and his Mayoral Privileges at the King Island Cup but first back to The Beet.
There would have been more there (at Burrumbeet) on New Year’s Day than Australian racing’s “headquarters” – Flemington - nudging 5000 all rollicking along where quaint traditions are well mixed in with the likes of backpacks for kids that prompted water gun squirting fun all day, as well as fashions on the field including a “best beard” section.
A bustling betting ring is now covered with resurrected jockey name plates from a bygone era, and home to a Punter’s Club hosting the hopes of many with its $8000 bank, none thinking they were “about to lose”.
Taking Afoora across the world will always be a career highlight for "H", but towing Friday At Five with his own float across the Western Highway, turning left at Cardigan Village down to Burrumbeet Park, next to the caravan park and lake, the town’s only other places of significance, rates as something very special for Dwyer.
“This is what gets people into racing, days like this, then they start going to Flemington and being participants and owners and the rest of it,” says Dwyer.
“The committee here do such a great job; they are so passionate. We have our jumpouts here, they are really helpful. It’s our closest club, but just look at what they’ve achieved, this crowd is amazing.”
From once a yearers, same time next yearers, Beryl and Gordons, territorial campers. You know it’s a different place when your car is parked by blokes from the local cricket club in thongs and swigging cans of Great Northern before the first.
There will be trainers who could, perhaps should, be elsewhere. Archie Alexander is having a day out; Mitch Freedman is about. John Allen has flown back from Ireland on New Year’s Eve and his first port of call is The Beet. Des O’Keeffe is chaperoning Scott Leckie and Tommy Doyle (who emerged from King Island last year).
Jeremy Rogers, one time racing manager for Darren Weir, and now a bloodstock agent of much respect, is the Burrumbeet Park and Windemere Park Racing Club manager, and beetling about The Beet, making sure all is as good as can be. Or could be.
And he targeted a horse - Kokonotsu - a $190,000 Magic Millions yearling for Tony Gollan, but for $27,500 got Tom Carberry to sign for it on the Inglis digital sale so his committee could have a Cup runner.
And there they all were - in smart black and white checked shirts - but outnumbered by the Red Lion syndicate who own key rival - Friday At Five.
So, its race time, at The Beet - Dwyer had taken the King Island Cup an hour earlier as the owner of Mayoral Privileges. He picked up the $2950 winner’s purse with a horse he sent to local stalwart Jim Taylor as a maiden two years ago with the aim of helping to save racing on the ailing island circuit.
The $15,800 in career prizemoney covers the $15,000 yearling purchase price on paper but means a lot more.
But more so a Burrumbeet Cup, and a horse with 100 or so owners he says. Enter the Red Lion Hotel (syndicate) in downtown Ballarat on Main Road.
“We meet every Friday at five o’clock, hence the name” says Dwyer.
“There is a wall of fame there with all her wins and all her trophies, but you can see today what it means to them.
“It might be just a $30,000 race ($16,500 to the winner), but you couldn’t tell me they wouldn’t rather win this than one in town.”
“Burrumbeet is just once a year, why wouldn’t we come here.”
“Look she’s no star, but she’s been a total star to these owners.”
Dwyer paid $90,000 for the “slow maturing” daughter of (now superstar sire) Zoustar. She’s now won $220,000 but also a Hanging Rock Cup (which she may soon defend) on Australia Day as Dwyer reveals the new season goals, resolutions even, post Asfoora at Ascot.
“Believe it or not, we targeted Country Cups this year and we’ve won a few (Pittsburgh Pirate with St Arnaud and at Ararat) and have a few to go."
"Yes, and a Group I in Victoria, I’ve won one in England, in Queensland and South Australia, but I want to win one here in Victoria, but country cups are great.”
And so too the country atmosphere that comes with them. I can’t tell you the name of the singer of the national anthem, but she sang both – yes both verses beautifully, even when most drifted into a cheer after the first ended with that “Australia fair” tag.
Sure, it was a touch call on the Wi-Fi on the day – the club had invested in a booster station and signs around the track advising of it, either it wasn’t turned on or no-one knew it needed a password, so Burrumbeet became the hollow from the outside world, when so many of it were there that one day of the year.
Down at the important stuff, like that Best Beard contest. As the judges judiciously deliberated over the hefty field before them, a filler question was asked, basically inquiring if any of the contestants had used any product - #26 in the TAB bucket hat said “yeah – Great Northern” – he ran third.
Mind you the men’s section was also a hotly disputed affair, Matt, #22, from the south of France he said, and the beret was as big as an Italian pizza, suggested he indeed was, as did his accent, was beaten by another Matt - from Ballarat, dressed as if he was off to Oktoberfest in his Lederhosen. (Very un-Ballarat, very un-Burrumbeet).
The women were a far more ‘traditional” affair, and the trifecta numbers were 98-14-26, for the record.
There were the staggered aged sections of the kiddies straight runs between races, lucky The Beet has a shorter run home than The Valley (used to be Moonee of course)
Walking out at the end of a thoroughly enjoyable day at The Beet, we follow a little girl, her Country Racing Victoria knapsack on her back, dad trying to hurry her along.
It’s a little cute to be sure, and let’s hope she is back at The Beet if not annually for years to come for such fun, but when she is old enough to remember she was there when Friday At Five won the Cup and perhaps have a share in one like it herself.
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