As close as it gets

Healesville Cup winning jockey Ray Douglas with owner Karen Flaherty of Cranbourne and foreman Gavin Bedggood with the winning horse, Mal Donardo. 163828 Picture: GREG CARRICK

Maldonado, ridden by jockey Ray Douglas, came out as the victor of the Healesville Cup on Saturday, 14 January.
The horse, owned by Cranbourne’s Karen Flaherty, was crowned as winner after a photo-finish race, with Healesville Amateur Racing Club president, David Purcell, saying that footage needed to be reviewed to determine the winner.
“It was a pretty keenly contested affair,” Mr Purcell said.
The winner came out with $1840 from the race, with all placeholders sharing in a $4000 pool. Tip Rat and Goldoni placed second and third in the race.
Bellefontein won the Bling it On Pony – Sock Whitener Trophy Race, followed by Code It and Salaqua.
In the Charlie Booth Memorial Maiden Plate race, She’s Miss Lippy won out, with Token Gesture and Scaarjn Force following up.
The Farmer Mike’s 40th Birthday Trophy was won by La Rita, with Fold and Bemarydan trailing behind, while the Yarra Valley Travel Open Trophy was won by Norsika.
The Bayswater Hotel Social Group Trophy, the last race of the day, was won by Kai Glow, followed by Ferrero and Bayfury.