Nestled in the middle of the Eyre Peninsula, 280kms from Ceduna, 145kms from Port Lincoln, and 245kms from Whyalla, lies Lock. A farming town with a population of around 270 people, once a year the town turns out for the Lock Cup.
Known as the ‘Oakbank of the West’, blue skies, the temperature in the mid-twenties with a light breeze greeted punters on arrival. The support for the 2023 Lock Cup was immense, with around 500 people in attendance at the quaint Racecourse, close to double the population of Lock! Attendees came from all around the Eyre Peninsula for this iconic annual event, with buses of people coming from locations such as Ceduna and Arno Bay.
Off the track there was plenty on offer for everyone in attendance, the club bar and canteen offered a great selection whilst the fish & chips van was incredibly popular. The Pimm’s bar was set up near the one hundred meter mark, offering some refreshing options with great views of the action on a lovely warm February day.
Fashion was front and centre in between each race, with Fashions at the Races was incredibly well supported. Prizes were on offer across multiple categories; Best Dressed Boy & Girl, Best Headwear, Best Dressed Gentleman, and Best Dressed Lady. Everyone brought their own style and personality to the competition, and there were some absolute standouts, including a full print Pokémon suit with tie worn by the winner of the Best Dressed Boy. The judges took a long time deliberating over the Best Dress Lady competition due to the variety of wonderful styles on offer, resulting in the judges awarding an unexpected third-place!
On track it was an action packed six-race card in Lock, with a number of well contested races. The day started with Rochelle Milnes continuing her winning form at non-TAB race meetings on the Eyre Peninsula as she won the first, following on from her five wins last month at the Ceduna Cup.
Race 5 saw a field of seven battle it out for the 2023 Lock Cup over 1900 meters. In the end, Epaulette Prince ridden by Sairyn Fawke and trained by Garret Lynch claimed the title. On return to the mounting yard, jockey Sairyn Fawke showed his excitement of winning the cup by his enthusiastic dismount of Epaulette Prince!
The Lock Cup is quintessential country racing and once again demonstrated the important role racing has in bringing a community together and providing a wonderful way to spend the day for everyone.
A truly wonderful day in the heart of the Eyre Peninsula, we already can’t wait for next year’s instalment of country racing at the ‘Oakbank of the West’!
Check out some of the pictures from the day…
