Stylish start to SW racing carnival

The South West’s biggest thoroughbred racing week kicked off in style yesterday, with glitz, glamour and heart-stopping racing giving reason for a strong crowd to flock to the Bunbury Turf Club.

The main event was the $120,000 APH Contractors Bunbury Stakes (1400m) which was won by outsider, Young Lionel, after a fast finish off the turn.

Ridden by Jarrad Noske and trained by the Capel-based trainer Lou Luciani, the five-year-old hit the turn on the outside and overran Dream Lifter to win the big prize.

Luciani said sitting at the back of the pack at the top of the straight was no worry because it was part of his racing style.

“The jockey looked pretty confident because he was sitting back at the top of the straight,” he said.

“That is his racing pattern.”

Luciani said he was confident going into the race that the gelding would stand up in a strong field.

“The race was going to fall into place if he had no bad luck,” he said.

But not all the action was on the track, with the inaugural WA Country Cups Fashions on the Field event in kicking off in style in Bunbury.

Bunbury beauty Ainslie Bailey won the first round of the competition, giving her the opportunity to head to Gloucester Park in November to compete in the final.

Ms Bailey sported a dress from Self Portrait, a fascinator from Lisa Alexander and shoes from ShoeBeDoo to win the competition.

“It was really exciting,” she said.

“I wanted to be lady-like and elegant in fitting with ladies day. But I also wanted something which matched my personality and showed some spirit.”

Regional finalists will battle it out on the catwalk for a chance to win a $25,000 Racing Holiday and Spending Spree, which includes a seven night trip to Hong Kong courtesy of Motive Travel, where they will experience two of the most prestigious racing events in the world, the Hong Kong International Jockey’s Championship at Happy Valley and the Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin.

The winner will also receive $10,000 spending money thanks to TABtouch, as well as vouchers and gifts from Reny Kestel, Only One Ashley and Smales Jewellery.