Ho, ho, ho … and a happy road back!

By Brad Kingsbury
RACING and Christmas cheer combined to create a fun day at Pakenham racecourse last Friday, with a successful return to racing by top district horseman John Leek among the day’s highlights.
Leek saddled Dawson Road in the fourth event, the Class 4 Stayers’ Handicap and then watched as experienced, local jockey Mark Flaherty rode a smart race to steal an early lead and punch the horse to the line, scoring by a neck.
It was Leek’s first winner since returning to the trainers’ ranks after a three-month suspension and he and wife Andrea were ecstatic after the race.
“This is my home track and it was the one we wanted, but he exceeded my expectations,” he said.
“This race was his trial and he came through it with flying colours. We’ll look to bump him up in distance and then put him over the jumps.
“As a jumper I think he’ll make a very handy one. His goal will be Oakbank (jumps carnival) and he will be a big part of our team next year,” Leek said as Flaherty brought the five-year old gelding back to scale.
Andrea, who rides Dawson Road’s trackwork, said the horse had not done a great deal of work and would only get better.
The Leeks left the tactics to Flaherty and he came through with flying colours, although he thought he might have gone for home a little too soon.
“I went a bit early and got to the front, but they were dawdling so it was the right move,” he said.
“He laboured a bit at the end, but showed plenty of heart when he was challenged.”
The Leeks are long-term supporters of the Pakenham club and make a point of entering runners in as many meetings as possible.
Another highlight was the win of Caulfield trainer Peter Moody’s Gracious Curves in the Class 1 Handicap for mares.
Ridden by Ben Smith the four-year-old just shaded Very Elusive, piloted by David Taggart and trained on the track by John Gunning.
“I always expected her to finish the race off, but I thought the distance would be too short for her,” said Moody.
“We’ll go up to 1800 or 2000 now and I think she’ll end up a midweek city class stayer.”
Gunning was his usual jovial self after his mares close loss and said he was happy with the effort.
“I’m going to have a word to the club and see about not allowing any Caulfield trainers down here,” he laughed as he congratulated Moody in the winners’ enclosure.
“Look in all honesty it was a very good run. She carried top weight and there wasn’t much in it.”
“I’m very happy with her run – we almost did it again,” he said referring to Very Elusive’s gallant win at her home track (at odds of $22) two starts ago.
Mornington trainer Fran Houlahan also enjoyed her visit, preparing a double on the day.
The big crowd was headed by almost 1000 people celebrating Christmas in marquees or other hospitality packages and club racing manager Michael Hodge was thrilled with the response and support from patrons.
“We finally got a good day weather-wise and that made the occasion better all around,” he said.
“Pakenham and district people have been great in supporting the club and the Christmas meeting has become a great drawcard.”
The next meeting at the track will be the Pakenham picnic race day on 1 January followed by the Pakenham Gazette Kid’s Day Out meeting on Sunday, 22 January.