The Easter racing week delivered no shortage of excitement, and Murray Bridge trainers rose to the occasion with standout results across four race meetings. From Balaklava to Oakbank and Penola, our local trainers produced a string of winners and eye-catching runs that showcased both depth and consistency in the team.

Balaklava on Wednesday:

The week opened at Balaklava where Garret Lynch’s Our Little Star kicked things off strongly in Race One, surging away to win by 2.85 lengths with Connor Murtagh aboard. Close behind were Good Expectations for Matthew Seyers with Kayla Crowther, and It’s Only Magic for John Hickmott & Carrina Riggs, finishing 3.99 lengths from the winner.

In Race Three, the Hickmott & Riggs team struck back as Testa Dexta edged out a tight finish, winning by a narrow 0.09 lengths under Jade Doyle.

Race Five delivered another Murray Bridge victory as Matthew Seyers’ Nadege, ridden by Kayla Crowther, pulled clear for a tidy 2-length win.

Clare on Saturday:

Clare’s program produced another pair of Murray Bridge wins. In Race Six, Andrew Clarken’s Crown And Anchor proved too strong, winning by 0.79 lengths with Ashvin Goindasamy in the saddle. Race Seven followed with a decisive 2.26-length victory for Prince Kuro, trained and ridden by Sophie Logan, with Goindasamy collecting another winning ride.

Oakbank Carnival on Saturday:

The Oakbank Saturday meeting saw several close finishes. Roslyn Day’s Brown Nose Day Gal held on bravely in Race Four for a 0.11-length win with Brooke King aboard.

Stephen Theodore enjoyed a successful afternoon, beginning with Savsonic in Race Five, which took a narrow 0.59-length win with Will Price riding. Theodore struck again in Race Seven when Fine Future, piloted by Kayla Crowther, claimed a tight 0.19-length victory. Maracourt, trained by Michael Hickmott and ridden by Todd Pannell, finished second.

Hickmott did not leave empty-handed, however, with Zoupurring winning Race Eight by half a length under Teo Nugent.

Easter Sunday at Penola:

Penola produced a strong run of Murray Bridge results, beginning in Race Three where Global Outcast, trained by Gary Boyce and ridden by Alysha Warren, took a 0.47-length win.

Sarah Rutten collected a clear victory in Race Four as Petit Eagle, guided by Kayla Crowther, powered home to win by 2.8 lengths. Boyce and Warren returned to the winner’s stall in Race Five with Piwhane, claiming a narrow 0.33-length win, while Miss Kermie for Rutten and Brooke King filled second.

In Race Six, Stuart Padman took the honours with Tenterk, holding on for a 0.12-length win under Tala Hutchinson. Second went to Jewels Captain for Sarah Rutten, ridden by Margaret Collett.

The final Murray Bridge win of the day came in Race Nine as Garret Lynch’s Poetic Whisper, partnered again with Tala Hutchinson, secured a 0.41-length victory.

Oakbank Carnival on Monday:

Easter Monday wrapped up with another Murray Bridge success as Imamanzor, trained by Sarah Rutten and ridden by Connor Murtagh, claimed Race Seven with a convincing 1.72-length margin.

Winning Murray Bridge Trainers This Week:

• Garret Lynch – Our Little Star (Balaklava R1), Poetic Whisper (Penola R9)
• John Hickmott & Carrina Riggs – Testa Dexta (Balaklava R3)
• Matthew Seyers – Nadege (Balaklava R5)
• Andrew Clarken – Crown And Anchor (Clare R6)
• Sophie Logan – Prince Kuro (Clare R7)
• Roslyn Day – Brown Nose Day Gal (Oakbank Sat R4)
• Stephen Theodore – Savsonic (Oakbank Sat R5), Fine Future (Oakbank Sat R7)
• Michael Hickmott – Zoupurring (Oakbank Sat R8)
• Gary Boyce – Global Outcast (Penola R3), Piwhane (Penola R5)
• Sarah Rutten – Petit Eagle (Penola R4), Imamanzor (Oakbank Mon R7)
• Stuart Padman – Tenterk (Penola R6)