WHEN both Brewarrina and Dubbo race meetings were abandoned last weekend due to wet tracks, it brought back memories for me of a unique meeting held at Trundle back in September 1990.
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Reverting to a bygone era, stewards allowed flag starts for the six events on the program.
A hopelessly bogged mobile barrier had given the stewards panel two options; to abandon the meeting or to resurrect the old style starting method.
Following the abandonment of every central districts meeting during August of that same year due to floods, the decision to proceed was greeted with enthusiasm.
Every trainer was given the option to scratch, however there was not a single withdrawal.
Cowra jockey Jane Parsons was happy with the decision, explaining that flag starts were an integral part of the training for barrel racing during her pony club days.
Parsons' mounts were best away in most races but their ability didn't match their jockey's horsemanship and they faded to minor placings.
Surprisingly there was an absence of derogatory comments regarding the flag starts, with only a few outsiders appearing to be inconvenienced.
Bookmakers, expecting some upset results, were left with long faces as three favourites were successful and plunges landed on two other longer-priced runners.
Albury-based jockey, the late Greg Fleidner, booted home three winners - Atlantic Wish (2/1), Alonzo's Wish (4/5) and Wish For A Lady (7/2), all trained at Bendick Murrell by the last Pat Rosen, and all sired by Light Wish, which stood at the Rosen farm.
Wish For A Lady carried a bet of $3500 to $1000 while the unplaced Ahead, given every chance by former leading Sydney apprentice Shane Edmonds, carried a bet of $3000 to $1500 on.
Ahead won its following to starts at TAB meetings at Cowra and Dubbo.
Shane Edmonds and Cowra trainer Wayne Davey had earlier won the Trundle Hotel Class 2 Handicap (1000m) with Perlingo, back from 10/1 into 6/1.
Another Cowra trainer to have success was the late Bob Newham with Think Ballet (6/4), ridden by Leanne Henry from Forbes.
The feature event was the Westoil and Bill and Margaret Maher Class 2 Cup (1400m) and it was won by Bold Cafe (9/2), trained at Parkes by Bob Forrest.