Cup Day’s Taylormade

Brad Kingsbury
CHEERS for apprentice jockey Melissa Taylor after she tasted victory at her home track for the first time topped off a brilliant 2007 Peet Limited Pakenham Cup program on Sunday.
Melissa’s hardearned win, together with the victory of Seymour galloper My Toff in the $100,000 Cup, highlighted a big day for a crowd of almost 5000 at the Pakenham racecourse.
The talented apprentice only had the one ride on Sunday’s card, but made the most of it by jumping Cranbourne galloper Mount Vernon to the lead and rating it perfectly to hold out fastfinishing local Tuskegee Airman, ridden by her boyfriend Craig Newitt.
Patrons from across the district flocked to the track for the festive atmosphere of the Pakenham Racing Club’s annual showcase event.
Off the track highlights included Fashions on the Field competitions and a food and wine expo.
Police praised crowd behavior, reporting only one arrest for the day.