Maclean Cup caps carnival

Bill Dougherty with trainer Jim Fletcher trackside.

Daily Examiner

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Grafton Cup 2009

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MACLEAN Cup Day - what a fitting finale to the Grafton July Racing Carnival.

Under clear skies, a good crowd and plenty of hometown winners to boot.

Locally owned and trained horses dominated, winning five of the eight races.

The punting blues are forgotten and next year awaits.

Clarence River Jockey Club chairman Bob Pavitt's highlight was succinct.

“The CRJC's carnival motto -'the springboard to fame'- will be proven I'm sure with Battlefield (Ramornie), Castle Heights (Grafton Cup) and The Mikado (Southern Cross Ten Plate) going onto better things in the ensuing 12 months.”

Crowds and turnover may have been down but punters wagered more than $10 million tote turnover during the five meetings.

“Generally we're more than happy with the way the carnival went,” Pavitt said. “On the big days we were down on crowds and turnover but the support days were well patronised.

“People seemed to enjoy themselves,” he said.

On a personal note, Pavitt, a keen punter, added: “I don't want it (the carnival) to stop. I haven't had a losing day.”

The winner of the Ramornie, glamour three-year-old Battlefield, a striking chestnut trained by Paul Messara, was certainly a carnival highlight. A Group One win and the world awaits.

Sydney trainer Tim Martin, who's been coming to Grafton since his teenage years, topped the trainers' list with five wins.