VETERAN jockey Dale Smith bagged a double at the Ararat Turf Club's penultimate race meeting for season 2014/15 last Friday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Smith's two wins at NMIT Ararat Park came in the third and sixth races of the day.
His first was aboard bay gelding Mr Memphis in the Harvey Norman Ararat Maiden Plate for trainer Brett Scott.
The 34-year-old hoop then put in one of the most impressive performances of the day with a four and a half length victory on the New Zealand-bred Wollongong (Troy Corstens).
Other highlights at the meeting included champion country trainer/jockey combination Dean Yendall and Darren Weir teaming up in race one to guide three-year-old Diavolou to her first career win.
The closest margin of the day came in race five, with a photo required to split the top three placegetters.
Disco Belle for Mount Gambier trainer Peter Hardacre and up-and-coming jockey Beau Mertens eventually got the nod by a nose, ahead of Vertigo (trainer, Dianne Clover) and A Certain Girl (Weir).
The Ararat Turf Club now turns its attention to the final race meeting of the season on Sunday, April 26 T.M Murray Slattery Willaura Cup day.
The event will be made extra special this year with the grand opening of the club's new function venue.
Exclusive race day packages are available to attend the 100-seat function room opening, which overlooks the mounting yard and winning post.
Tickets are $100 per person and include admission, a race book, two course meal and drinks and live music by the Mahoney Brothers band.
Packages are available online at www.countryracing.com.au.
General admission tickets will be $20 at the gate, however if you book via the Country Racing website it is free.
Umbrellas and tables will also be available on the day, but you will have to get in early! Gates open from 11am.
The Ararat Turf Club is also offering a free Christians 57 seater bus for all local residents of Willaura and surrounding districts.
Departure times will be 10.15am at Lake Bolac, 10.30am at Wickcliffe, 10.45am at Glenthompson, 11.15am at Willaura and 11.45am from the Ararat Town Hall for an arrival time at NMIT Ararat Park of 11.50am.
The bus will depart the Ararat racecourse at 5.30pm for the first drop off at the Ararat Town Hall, before departing the racecourse again at 6pm and return to Lake Bolac, Wickcliffe, Glenthompson and Willaura.
Ararat Rural City Council is supporting the event with funding for children's activities.