It’s not often you find a horse moniker in a memorial race that’s an exact fit for the person being remembered but with “Clubman” (Neasham – Archibald stable) accepted in the Fred Cooper Cup on Sunday at Goulburn it’s as good as it gets.
Cooper was a ‘clubman’ by any definition of the word you want to throw up, led by a record twenty-one years as Goulburn Race Club President. He was also a recipient of the Simon Nivison award for services to racing.
Goulburn Race Club CEO Robyn Fife acknowledging that Fred’s contribution to Goulburn Race Club and country racing was peerless.
“Fred was such an integral part of our club for a long time. His leadership and can-do attitude were contributions that have been invaluable to our race club’s development,” Ms Fife said.
Sunday’s race is the fifteenth edition of the race and looks to have found an ideal renewal signified by a new date, race-rating (B74 Handicap) and distance (1600m). Trainers and owners have voted with their feet to supply a full field of sixteen making the contest an ideal race day strut for the Evergreen Turf Southern Country Championships Wild Card Qualifier which will precede the Fred Cooper Cup.
Whilst’ Fred’s length of ‘clubman’ service spanned over many years his namesake in the tribute race ‘Clubman’ is just kicking off his career but making fast work of it.
The Neasham / Archibald trained galloper has won two from three with a runner-up result his other etch. Clubman carries two kilos less as reward for another step up in grade on Sunday, but the son of Oasis Dream showed a mile is right up his alley in a dominant victory at Scone last start. Jean Van Overmeire retains the ride with a sticky draw requiring some divine intervention…over to you Fred!
Goulburn’s track is currently rated a Soft 5 for Sunday’s Evergreen Turf Southern Country Championships Wild Card Qualifier race day.
Goulburn Soldiers Club & Goulburn Australia are proud supporters of Goulburn & District Racing Club
PHOTO: Bradley Photos
