Stony Creek galloper, Rockpecker was named 2008/09 John Moore Photography Gippsland Horse of the Year on Friday night at the Moe Racing Club.
In accepting the award, part owner, Greg Elmore, thanked trainer Ken Fythe and remarked on what a great experience it had been to be involved in such a talented horse.
“We spent some time in
“We’re having a few little troubles with him at the moment, but hopefully nothing too serious and all going well he will be back sooner rather than later,” said Greg.
Among Rockpecker’s achievements for the season were a Listed win at Flemington, victory in the $101,000 Country Cup at Flemington, a second and two fourths in Listed company and fourth in the Group Two Blamey Stakes.
Best performed Gippsland Horse on Gippsland tracks was El Pretender, prepared at Bairnsdale by Brenda McPhan.
He won both the
MOE TRAINERS DOMINATE
While the two major horse awards went to Stony Creek and Bairnsdale prepared horses, Moe trainers dominated the other categories.
Allison Bennett and Peter Gelagotis tied for the leading Gippsland trainers with 16 wins apiece and both trained four city winners for the season.
Their best gallopers, King Hoaks and
Gippsland trainer with the best strike rate was Michael Templeton who had eight winners from 29 starters at a strike rate of 27.6%.
GIPPSLAND PREMIERS
Also recognised on the night were the respective Gippsland premiership winners and recipients were: leading trainer (Robbie Griffiths), leading jockey (Peter Mertens) and leading apprentice jockey (Brenton Avdulla).
Unfortunately none were in attendance, but for good reason. Griffiths and Mertens had engagements at the
