Former racing writer turned racehorse trainer Doug Gorrel celebrated the biggest win of his career last Saturday when his four-year-old mare Asgarda won last Saturday’s $1 million Country Championships Final (1400 metres) at Randwick.
Kayla Nisbet was able to settle Asgarda just off the pace in fifth position before sooling her to the front at the 200-metre mark. Revelling in the heavy conditions, Asgarda sprinted away from her rivals to win by a length and a quarter from Gallant Star, who finished off strongly from midfield.
“We couldn’t have had her any better and that’s why she did what she did,” an elated Gorrel said.
“With Bandi’s Boy (the short-priced favourite) in the race I thought we were all running for second to be truthful.”
Nisbet was confident of a strong run, given Asgardi had performed well on heavy ground in the past.
“She’s so easy to ride. She always bounces well and puts herself up on the speed,” the jockey said
Nisbett has ridden nearly 600 winners but the Championships Final was her biggest.
Cup goes to Nathan
Because of heavy rain the meeting scheduled for Muswellbrook last Friday was abandoned and the $150,000  Muswellbrook Gold Cup transferred to Newcastle on Saturday.
It was won by the Nathan Doyle-trained mare Overriding, ridden by Ben Looker.
In an impressive performance, Overriding raced away to a clearcut victory over Kinloch, with Ita taking third.
Earlier on the program, in a thrilling finish to the $60,000 Super Maiden (1200 metres), the three-year-old filly Lulumon, trained by Jason Coyle, defeated the short-priced favourite Monty The Missile by a short head.
 The only other non-metropolitan meeting held last Saturday was at Coonabarabran. Programs scheduled for Cootamundra, Hillston, Lismore and Warialda all had to be abandoned as a result of the torrential rain.
On the following day, the Gundagai Cup meeting was abandoned. Dubbo, however, went ahead and trainer Cindy Monaghan led in a winning double. Mikayla Weir rode two winners.
Devastating loss
On Monday, a Requiem Mass was held at the All Saints Catholic Church in Liverpool for jockey Stefano Cherchi.
Cherchi was involved in a three-horse fall at Canberra on March 20. Whilst the other two jockeys involved, Shaun Guymer and Jeff Penza, escaped with minor injuries, Chechi suffered severe head injuries.
He was taken to Canberra Hospital where he was placed in intensive care. Sadly, he passed away last Wednesday. He was only 23.
“The tragic passing of Stefano Cherchi at such a young age is extremely sad and words can’t describe the deep sorrow our industry is feeling,” said Racing NSW chief Peter V’landys.
“Stefano was extremely popular amongst his peers and it will be hard for them to comes to terms with his tragic passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”
Cherchi, who was born in Italy, moved to England to pursue a career in racing. He had ridden 106 winners there before making the move to Australia at the beginning of this year, basing himself at Warwick Farm.
Our sincere condolences to Stefano’s family and many friends.
Big day for Grenfell
Grenfell Picnic Race Club will host its annual race meeting on Saturday.
The feature race is the $10,000 Cup over 1400m. The main supporting races are the 1000-metre Picnic Bracelet and the 2150-metre Class 1 Trophy Handicap, each with $7,500 in prizemoney.
It’s good to see a middle distance race on such a program. There are too few such opportunities for stayers.
At Holbrook the same afternoon, the main race will be the 1400-metre Holbrook Cup.
On Sunday, Wellington will conduct its’ Showcase meeting with the highlight of the meeting being the $100,000 Wellington Cup over 1700 metres and the $50,000 Wellington Town Plate (1100 metres).
On the same afternoon there will be a meeting at Grafton and the main race is the 1175-metre Brushgrove Cup.