NSW: The sun finally shines on Sydney race day

AAP General News (Australia)
04-26-2008
NSW: The sun finally shines on Sydney race day

By Caryl Williamson

SYDNEY, April 26 AAP - Brilliant sunshine greeted racegoers at Randwick for Derby Day,
with two weeks of incessant rain a distant memory.

Run out of its usual Easter timeslot, the day was hailed a resounding success with
almost 35,000 people in attendance.

The A-list celebrities were headed by Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom who were joined
by Megan Gale, with both women elegant in traditional black.

The fascinator was out with more substantial headgear the order of the day but unlike
its Melbourne counterpart, there was hardly a top hat and tails to be seen.

Just like last week at the Golden Slipper, Gai Waterhouse and two-year-old Sebring
were to the fore in the AJC Sires' Produce Stakes with the colt's large band of owners
once again matching the jockey's silks in purple scarves and ties with white stars.

Waterhouse was resplendent in black and pink and while the pretty frocks were on display,
footwear was of a practical kind with the ground soggy underfoot.

The AJC Australian Derby is one of the oldest races in the country but it was plundered
by the New Zealanders with Nom Du Jeu beating compatriot Red Ruler and Melbourne horse
Littorio third.

Sydney trainers were again left out in the cold when Victorian sprint star Apache Cat
beat Reigning To Win and cult hero Takeover Target in the TJ Smith.

Apache Cat has his own fan club and the most distinctive white face in the country.

The Doncaster Handicap was a triumph for trainer Chris Waller and big-race jockey Glen Boss.

For Waller, who is about to take up training for Bob Ingham who spent $18 million at
the Easter Yearling Sale, Triple Honour was his first Group One winner while for the flamboyant
Boss it was his third successive win in the race.

AAP cw/gm/mn

KEYWORD: RANDWICK FRONTER (PIX AVAILABLE)

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