Earlier this month the Limestone Coast Awards Luncheon was held at the Naracoorte Racing Club. Around 60 guests enjoyed the celebration of the 2022/23 racing year on the Limestone Coast.
Six categories were up for grabs at the awards with some strong competition throughout the racing season.
The standout winner was Clever Man, trained by Trevor White and based in Mount Gambier, which took out the two Horse of the Year categories – Horse of the Year (racing in the Limestone Coast) and Horse of the Year (Trained in the Limestone Coast and raced anywhere in Australia).
Clever Man beat out Muntham Missile, trained by Belinda O’Loughlin, a finalist for the Country Racing Victoria Horse of the Year. The highlight of the year for Clever Man was a brilliant performance to claim the Mount Gambier Cup. This was the first time both Horse of the Year categories have been won by the same horse at the Limestone Coast Awards.
Trainer of the Year was awarded to Wayne Walters who had an impressive showing across the 2022/23 season, with 16 wins and a whopping thirty six placings.
Limestone Coast local jockey, Jacob Opperman, claimed Apprentice Jockey of the Year with 14 wins, ahead of Teagan Voorham and Ben Price.
An extremely tight battle between Kate Walters and Harry Grace for Jockey of the Year resulted in the award being decided by third places after the two jockeys were tied on wins and second places. In the end, Kate Walters took out the award with eighteen wins, twelve seconds and thirteen third places.
The Awards round out another fantastic season on the Limestone Coast with many memorable moments.
The 2023/24 season has already commenced in the South East with a Sunday race at Bordertown earlier in August. Later this month, Mount Gambier will host a mid-week race day before the racing action on the Limestone Coast ramps up in October and across spring and summer!
