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2026 03 11

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Moonee Valley Racing Club respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of this land – the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation – and pays our respects to its Elders past, present, and emerging.

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Warrnambool-based trainer Joanne Mugavin claimed the biggest winner of her short career with her $2500 online tried horse purchase.

Bright Legend lights up Night Cup

Bright Legend netted Warrnambool-based trainer Joanne Mugavin the biggest winner of her short career last Friday night when her $2500 online tried horse purchase claimed the $200,000 Listed Manhari Torney Night Cup (2500m).The 630-kilometre round trip was certainly made worthwhile, a trip the stable made twice in as many days, with stablemate Topspin also saluting at the same course on Thursday night.The pair of winners were celebrated by bookmakers paying $26 and $15 respectively but Mugavin said she was upbeat about her mares chances following recent placings in the Naracoorte Cup and at Sandown.“We were pretty confident with her she has been running so well and she is twice the horse that she was last prep,” Mugavin said.“It was make or break tonight.”Given a patient steer by Jye McNeil, the five-year-olds previous two victories for the stable had come at benchmark 56 level in South Australia at Mount Gambier.The daughter of Churchill had remarkably never been tested at distances beyond 1600 metres before joining Mugavin midway through last year, with her three latest victories coming at 1800, 2050 and 2500 metres.Ideas of a potential jumping career might have been put on hold with a valuable black-type win now added to her CV.Mugavin has nine horses of her own in training and has learned alongside many of her fellow local horseman in Symon Wilde, Matthew Williams, Aaron Purcell and Daniel Bowman.“We bought a place on-course and started training with one or two horses,” she said.“We have nine racehorses and all up 20 horses in work with pre-trainers and breakers.”With 13 winners and now a stakes win in her short career the Mugavin stable is sure to not get under punters guards again in a hurry.

The Valley will once again play host to a leg of the National Pony Racing Series, with the Victorian event set to take place on 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes Day, Saturday 22 March.A collaboration between Pony Club Australia and Thoroughbred Industry Careers (TIC), the series is designed to educate young riders on careers in the racing and breeding industry, giving them a taste of professional competition on major racedays.The series features six race meetings across Australia, culminating in the national finals in June. Before the Victorian leg, Ballarat hosted a Jumpstart weekend, where participants received riding instruction, horse health education, career insights, and rider fitness training.&nbsp;In preparation for their big moment on 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes Day, competitors will also take part in a training day at The Valley to familiarise themselves with the track.On Saturday, two pony races will be held for state finalists aged 9 to 15. The first, over 450m at 11:30 am, is for ponies not exceeding 12.2hh, while the second, over 700m, is for ponies not exceeding 14hh. That event will take place following Race 3 on the card at 1:30 pm.&nbsp;Moonee Valley Racing Club has enjoyed its association with TIC and Pony Club Australia, providing young riders with the opportunity to gain experience on a major racing stage. The Valley hosted a leg of the first National Pony Racing Series in 2023, and last year on 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes Day held a Shetland Pony Race.With the next generation of riders set to take centre stage once again, The Valley looks forward to another thrilling chapter in this growing series.

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