Talented apprentice Molly Bourke ventured back into the country on Monday, combining with Lynda Bundy to win the Merimbula Cup.
Riding for the Moruya stable at the Sapphire Coast, Bourke jumped aboard Funky Little Shack ($3.90) in the 1408m feature.
With a furlong to go, it appeared to be a race in two as the John Gamble-trained Sucrose (James Innes Jnr, $6) shaded the Nick Olive-trained Sooboogeliscious (Quayde Krogh, $5.50).
Bourke finished with a well-timed run on the five-year-old to win by a long neck from Sooboogeliscious, while in third and just over a length away was Sucrose.
“He was quite strong and raced quite keenly,” Bourke told NSW Country and Picnic Racing.
“There was a slow tempo throughout, and I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve got plenty of horse underneath me’.
“He hit a flat spot but got back into it; he was quite strong to the line and kicking away.”
Bourke, who had a lot of success at the Sapphire Coast when she was still riding in Canberra and Wagga, enjoyed getting back to a happy hunting ground.
“It’s always great to go back to those meetings and see all your old mates,” Bourke said.
“I had never ridden for Lynda, but I’ve always known her, and it was nice to get the job done for her.”
Despite rain plaguing NSW racecourses in recent weeks, leading to a handful of abandonments, the Sapphire Coast raced beautifully on Monday and played evenly.
“The track was really nice and even a bit better than it was for the recent cup meeting,” Bourke said.
“It had a bit of give, but it wasn’t leader-biased, and everyone had a chance on the day.
“Plus, it was a bit of a cool day, and they still got a crowd there for a Monday.”
The 20-year-old, who made a name for herself in the Southern Districts and South East when riding for George Dimitropoulos and Doug Gorrel, is now indentured to John Sargent at Randwick and is loving life.
Riding winners throughout the provincial and metropolitan ranks, Bourke has 109 victories to her name, including nine provincials wins and 11 in the city.
Riding a winner at Canterbury on Friday aboard the Lee and Cherie Curtis-trained Bacio Del Mist ($5) in the 1900m Benchmark 64 Handicap, Bourke also scored a win at Hawkesbury on Wednesday when on the Mike Van Gestel-trained Dark Glitter ($15) in the 1000m Class One Handicap.
“I’m starting to get that bit of support and get my name out there,” Bourke said.
“More people know who I am, and John Sargent has been good for that. He’s put me on a heap of trials, giving me rides, promoting me, and helping me get my name out there.”
Bourke will keep busy this week with rides at Wyong on Thursday, Canterbury on Friday, and Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
