By Natalee Kerr
Thousands of punters enjoyed “perfect conditions” at this year’s Geelong Cup as Prince of Arran took home the big race on Wednesday.
The seven-year-old gelding and jockey Michael Walker managed to hold off a fast-finishing True Self to land the $400,000 prize.
Geelong Racing Club chief executive officer Daniel Salter described this year’s cup as a “successful” incident-free day, with more than 11,000 people in attendance.
“The crowd was really well-behaved, there were no incidents and we received terrific feedback from police,” he told the Indy.
“It was great to have that result, in particular with such warm conditions that we had.
“The racing was fantastic and the crowd were great, we’re really pleased with the overall outcome.”
Hailing from England, Prince of Arran has become the sixth internationally-trained horse to win the cup since 2002.
After starting outside barrier 11, he hit the front in the last 200 metres to win by less than half a length with his time of 2:26.84 the cup’s quickest in 14 years.
Racing Victoria announced yesterday that he received a one kilogram weight penalty to boost his hopes of making next month’s Melbourne Cup.
Meanwhile, Colac’s Sondra Tillack won the cup’s Fashions on the Field in her debut on the racing catwalk.
The first-time entrant dazzled in her glamorous blue and white dress by designer Alice McCall on Wednesday.
Last year’s top fashion prize winner, Brianna Murphy, from Geelong West, won the Local Lady of the Day for her self-designed pastel blue outfit.
Newtown’s Courtney Moore took out Millinery of the Day for her pink bow headpiece, while Geelong’s Danny Archer claimed the Gent of the Day crown with his beige checkered suit.
Cup ambassador and Cats player Rhys Stanley featured on the panel of judges, alongside wife Kristen.
