Geraldton Toyota Batavia Sprint wrap: Locals book their ticket to Ascot

A stacked field of local and Perth talent battled it out at Geraldton Turf Club on Sunday in the 2024 Geraldton Toyota Batavia Sprint, with the main race offering a $125,000 prize pool.

It was Perth trainer Tiarnna Noske’s five-year-old gelding Bayezid who won race seven — the Geraldton Toyota Batavia Sprint — with a late charge as he hit the final turn.

Jockey Madi Derrick gave Bayezid the best chance of winning, holding the gelding in good position heading into the final straight.

Proven winner at Geraldton jockey Austin Galati came in second on Brett Pope’s Falcon Trader in an impressive run, with the Carnarvon trainer doing the Mid West Gascoyne proud by holding his own against the Perth trainers.

Arguably the most important race of the day for local trainers was race six as it was a chance for the top-five finishers to advance to race at Ascot later in the season.

Local trainer Julia Martin took first place with Safe Hustle, ridden by Kristy Bennett, as well as Spirit Man finishing in fourth place, ridden by Lucy Fiore, with both geldings booking their trip to Perth.

Martin said she was immensely proud of the efforts of her horses and her team.

“We were really impressed with how Safe Hustle ran, and with Kristy on his back it’s no wonder that they did well,” she said.

“Those two have been paired a couple times now and have done well.

“I am really proud of Spirit Man too. He surprised us and I’d love to see Lucy on board in Perth if we get that chance.”

The other three locals that booked their ticket to Perth later this season were Ron Cowl’s Sure No Something in second, Gordon Spowart’s Fine Line in third, and Albert Bowtell’s Well Played in fifth.

The locals will be heading down to Perth for race four, the Regional Championships — Road to Ascot on November 30.

GERALDTON TOYOTA BATAVIA SPRINT

Winners’ List

R1: Grint (T: J Martin, J: A Galati)

R2: Ideally (T: M Grantham, J: C Johnston Porter)

R3: Sparkle Corner (T: R Cowl, J: L Ramoly)

R4: Becalotti (T: T Noske, J: J Noske)

R5: King Mahuta (T: B Pope, J: C Johnston Porter)

R6: Safe Hustle (T: J Martin, J: K Bennett)

R7: Bayezid (T: T Noske, J: M Derrick)

R8 Dadirra (T. C Martin - J. L Staples)