Riders had inspected the track twice before allowing the meeting to go ahead following a week of rain but organisers, all volunteers, had the track to the jockey’s

satisfaction and

racing went

ahead.

By the time the big race was ready to go, the track had been ‘cut up’ and was rated in parts a heavy 10 but it seemed to suit One Last Shot ($7) who was nicely positioned early.

Rounding the turn, it stayed on the fence, a place many jockeys don’t favour and it gathered Carry the Dance ($4.40 fav), Orbit ($6) and Snowy In The Tram ($10) in to win impressively by half a length. A length separated the second and third placed horses.

“It was a good win,” John McKinnon, a former trotting trainer, said.

“My first Geurie Cup and what makes it better is that my wife Sue owns it.”

This was a day to savour for the McKinnons.

Their son, Scott McKinnon is president of the club and the day was a big success all round.

“Yes it’s a family affair,” Mr McKinnon said with a big smile on his face.

“Thank you Geurie for being a welcoming and passionate community,” Sue McKinnon said.

“The sun is shining and good people have done such hard work,” she told the crowd as she accepted the $2100 first prize and $200 trophy.

“I don’t really see the horse much but he did such a terrific job and so did the jockey.”