The Border horse racing community suffered a massive loss in August with the passing of legendary horseman Ollie Cox. The Wodonga trainer was fi ttingly farewelled at the Wodonga racetrack by about 400 mourners. Cox, 83, was granted a trainer’s licence from the Victorian Racing Club in August 1959 and trained for four decades. Upon retirement he was granted an honorary trainer’s badge. Cox was also a former successful amateur rider for more than a decade in the Border district. He was a committeeman and life member of Wodonga and District Turf Club and worked alongside the late Jack Maher in raising the standard of the track. “It is a sad day, but he went very peacefully,” son Brian Cox said.

BRIAN Cox is no stranger to Wodonga Gold Cup success, but there was something extra special about Minnie Downs’ victory this year with Craig Newitt aboard. Not only was it Cox’s 11th hometown feature but also the most emotional. Cox choked backed tears after the race when Minnie Downs handed him his fi rst Wodonga Cup without his father and long-time mentor, Ollie, by his side. Ollie passed away in August and also won Wodonga’s most sought-after race twice.

VETERAN trainer Sylvia Thompson experienced one of the biggest thrills of her training career when Allelu upstaged a handy fi eld of middle distance performers to score at Flemington on Oaks Day. Ridden by Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michael Rodd, Allelu came from near last on the home turn to win by a short neck as an $18 chance. “Everything lined up for her in this race today — it was the right distance, the right age group and Michael on top,” she said. “I’ve never won a race during the spring carnival before, never had a runner.” Allelu also went on to race in the Wodonga Gold Cup. 

FORMER talented jockey Nick Ryan joined the training ranks after being granted his licence in August. The 2005 Melbourne jockeys’ premiership winner had spent the past 18 months as Brett Cavanough’s stable foreman. “It’s a dream come true to be out on my own,” Ryan said. “I’ve been contemplating it for a good 12 months and realise I’ve got to learn to crawl before I can walk, but I’m very motivated to succeed.” Ryan has so far landed two winners in his fledgling career and no doubt more will follow next year.

JOCKEY Bek Williams made an amazing comeback to the saddle in May — a little more than 12 months since the apprentice hoop was left fighting for her life after a freak racetrack incident. Williams took the full brunt of a thoroughbred’s hindquarters, the kick catapulting her five metres through the air and bursting a valve in her heart. The then almost 20-year-old was declared clinically dead — her heart silent for six minutes. Bek has not only returned to racing but already landed her first winner.

ALBURY trainer Brett Cavanough is never far away from the spotlight, and this year has been no exception. Cavanough regained the Southern District trainers’ premiership crown in July for the 10th time after Wagga trainer Trevor Sutherland had claimed the premiership for the past two seasons. Cavanough attributed his stellar season to his outstanding crop of three-year-olds including Just A Bullet, Scatcat and The Monstar.

BRENDAN Ward remembers the pain racking his body. The former Wodonga hoop, the leading jockey in the Southern Districts, was on the turf — one of three jockeys involved in a horror fall at Wagga in August. The 41-year-old was flown to Sydney’s St George Hospital with doctors fearing the worst. Scans revealed a C2 vertebra fracture, but Ward vowed he would return to the saddle. Ward made a full recovery and recently rode his first winner.

WODONGA and District Turf Club won its bid to have a public holiday declared for the Wodonga Gold Cup from this year. After much lobbying by the club, Wodonga Council voted in favour of moving the Melbourne Cup Day public holiday to Friday, November 28. Turf club general manager Tom O’Connor said it was a “defi ning moment for the club, and for Wodonga”, as it moved to make the Wodonga Gold Cup a premier racing event.

THE Monstar emerged as the best credentialled galloper to be trained on the Border after a few of his main rivals fell by the wayside. Stablemates Scatcat and Just A Bullet succumbed to tendon injuries while the Brian Cox-trained Sumakaray also failed to fire this year after contracting a virus. The Monstar underlined his undoubted ability with a thrilling win in the Flat Knacker over the Albury Gold Cup carnival in March. The son of California Dane was recently crowned SDRA Horse of the Year.

WANGARATTA and District Turf Club announced earlier this month that the track is set to close for almost a year to undergo a major renovation. The $273,000 upgrade includes resurfacing works which will eradicate all poa annua and bent grass from the course proper. The project will also include the application of about 3000 cubic metres of sand, which will help to level the track and improve its camber. Wangaratta held its last meeting on Saturday, with racing scheduled to resume on Melbourne Cup Day.