Dick lands biggest cup in northern race career

FORMER Inglewood man Dick Leech has claimed the biggest win of his thoroughbred racing career.

Leech moved to the Northern Territory and established a concrete pumping business before venturing into horse training.

He has just trained Write Your Name to the $110,000 Alice Springs Cup (2000 metres) at Pioneer Park. Write Your Name had hardly raced beyond 1400 metres until last month’s cup but hit the front at the top of the home straight.

“I had trotters in Victoria with my fa- ther Norm and when I moved to the Territory there was obviously no trotters, so I bought a couple of thoroughbreds and that got me away from pumping concrete,” Leech said.

He is based in Darwin at the Fannie Bay racecourse but has also recently established a permanent base in Alice Springs at Pioneer Park, with the satellite stable providing the opportunity to offer variety to his horses as well as target the regular meetings in the Red Centre.

“We always do Alice for the carnival but we have set up a pre-training stable in Alice now as well where we will do a lot of pre-training and then bring them to Darwin,” he said.

“It is good country for the horses in Alice. They love the country and you have got more facilities to work them. You can work them in the Todd River, at the pool and the track at Pioneer Park.

“You don’t have to be on the track every day whereas in Darwin you have fewer options,” said the successful Northern Territory trainer.

Write Your Name started the Alice Springs Cup the bookies’ favourite.

Junior Football

Loddon Valley

GOALS - Pyramid Hill: B. Gibson, C. McCoy, L. Stubbs, X. Emmerson. Bridgewater: O. Taylor 4, H. Daldy, C. Orton, K. Hewett 2, H. Carter, T. Woodhatch, T. Pidoto. BEST - Pyramid Hill: C. McCoy, L. Stubbs, B. Gibson, T. Fernandez, X. Emmerson, R. Hutton. Bridgewater: C. Orton, K. Hewett, R. Smith, F. Ferguson, O. Taylor, M. Whitton.

- Marong: Z. Rowe 3, H. Cruise, L. Rielley, Z. Conroy 2, H. Roberts, K. McCaig, S. Taylor. BEST - Inglewood: L. Harris, O. Mathews, H. Noble, J. Wendels, G. Nevins, C. Hancock. Marong: J. Hall, L. Rielley, K. Terrill, F. Waters, H. Bourke, J. Bird.

Under 17

S. Toose, H. Malone, M. Beattie,

Experience helps Stringer to stableford victory

WITH player numbers finally cracking double figures for the first time this year, it was the experience of Alan Stringer that proved the deciding factor at Boort on Saturday.

Alan claimed 36 points to take out the stableford event.

He finished one point ahead of president Stuart Tweddle with Andrew Kane and Sydney-sider Graeme Ball picking up the remaining balls after tying with

Shelby’s state selection

WEDDERBURN’S Shelby Giolando has been selected in this year’s under 18 women’s development team for Hockey Victoria.

The star youngster will compete at the national under 18 titles in Hobart in July.

Shelby’s path to selection started in February with a draft camp and participation in academy and assessment programs.

The 18-member team now enters the training phase in preparation for July’s tournament.

34 points. Andrew and Graeme also scored a nearest the pin prize each, with Robbie Johnston claiming the remaining two.

In the D & A Lanyon monthly fencing award, both Stuart and Kevin picked up valuable points for their efforts, but in the end it was the sponsor who won his own event after securing a command- able lead when he won the first two events.

WEDDERBURN

Saturday’s competition again had good numbers and members hitting some good scores.

Winner was Cam Taylor with a 76 and 40 points, separated on a countback from John Donaldson. Tomorrow is the return of the famous chook run with a 4pm assembly for a 4.15pm hitoff.

BOORT men’s side had a convincing win over Donald in Saturday’s North Central hockey.

The victory has the Pies sitting second on the ladder with 12 points, more than other clubs but having also played more games.

Under 12: Charlton lost to St Arnaud 0-7, Donald d Boort 4-0, Wycheproof Narraport d Birchip Watchem 2-1. Ladder: St Arnaud 6, Wycheproof Narraport 12, Charlton 9, Donald 6, Birchip Watchem 3, Sea Lake Nandaly 3, Wedderburn 0, Boort 0.

Under 15: Charlton lost to St Arnaud 0-2, Donald lost to Boort 2-3, Wycheproof Narraport lost to Birchip Watchem 0-5.

O. Brennan, B. Coleman-Young, R. Needs. Boort: J. O’Flaherty.

- Donald: H. Clark, H. Funcke, J. Lydom, L.Stopps. Boort: C. Gooding, R. Chislett, C. Hird, J. Malone, S. McClelland,

LADDER: Sea Lake Nandaly 321.6 16, Donald 216.67 12,

Ladder: Sea Lake Nandaly 9, Donald 6, Charlton 6, Birchip Watchem 3, Boort 6, St Arnaud 3, Wycheproof Narraport 3, Wedderburn 0.

Women: Charlton d St Arnaud 6-1, Donald lost to Boort 1-5, Wycheproof Narraport d Birchip Watchem 3-0. Ladder: Charlton 9, Wycheproof Narraport 12, Birchip Watchem 3, St Arnaud 3, Boort 4, Wedderburn 3, Sea Lake Nandaly 1, Donald 0.

Men: Charlton lost to St Arnaud 0-5, Donald lost to Boort 1-5, Wycheproof Narraport d Birchip Watchem 16-0. Ladder: St Arnaud 6, Boort 12, Wycheproof Narraport 6, Charlton 3, Sea Lake Nandaly 3, Donald 0, Birchip Watchem 0.

Redbacks face biggest challenge

NORTH Central powerhouse Wedderburn faces its biggest test against the undefeated Boort on Saturday.

The Redbacks are in rebuilding mode after going through 2022 as premiers and champions, several key players now off on parenting duties.

They have had several close calls this season but still be undefeated and last weekend was the bye.

Boort has momentum going into this Loddon Derby A Grade clash and boasts the best percentage in the association.

That could be the difference on Saturday. But, Wedderburn is a class team with depth that could trouble the Pies who were pushed by Donald in the first half last Saturday.

North Central

NETBALL | SPORT

C GRADE Sea Lake Nandaly 2, 6, 10, 16, (16) lost to Nullawil 15, 29, 41, 58, (58). Donald 8, 10, 13, 21, (21) lost to Boort 7, 16, 30, 38, (38).

Wycheproof Narraport 5, 10, 11, 16, (16) lost to Birchip Watchem 4, 21, 29, 42, (42). Charlton 5, 8, 17, 19, (19) lost to St Arnaud 11, 20, 27, 35, (35).

with Marong. Mitiamo was challenged by Newbridge in the first quarter before the Superoos’ experience kicked in and they broke away.

LODDON VALLEY

lost to Birchip Watchem 10, 23, 32, 49,

Webb keeps Eagles powering along

GRADE Sea Lake Nandaly 8, 16, 25, 28, (28) lost to Nullawil 14, 22, 30, 45, (45). Donald 13, 23, 34, 41, (41) lost to Boort 13, 23, 36, 53, (53). Wycheproof Narraport 3, 5, 9, 11, (11) lost to Birchip Watchem 9, 15, 22, 34, (34).

Charlton 14, 30, 35, 44, (44) d St Arnaud 6, 14, 22, 32, (32) .

Boort 187.93 12

MAIDEN Gully continues its dominance of A Grade netball in Loddon Valley.

League best and fairest Tia Webb controlled shooting with consummate ease in Saturday’s game against Inglewood.

And while the Eagles are in control, Pyramid Hill is setting the A Grade scene alight.

Undefeated so far this season, the Bulldogs had a 19-goal win over Bridgewater and put in place a buffer as it settles in to a top three place, equal on points

Calivil 12, 18, 26, 35, (35) lost to Marong 14, 27, 34, 43, (43). Mitiamo 9, 13, 20, 25, (25) lost to Newbridge 11, 22, 38, 56, (56). Pyramid Hill 5, 16, 20, 25, (25) lost to Bridgewater 12, 23, 36, 48, (48) .

A GRADE

Pyramid Hill 15, 28, 36, 47, (47) d Bridgewater 8, 13, 22, 28, (28). Mitiamo 13, 28, 44, 61, (61) d Newbridge 12, 18, 26, 33, (33). Inglewood 4, 9, 16, 19, (19) lost to Maiden Gully 20, 41, 61, 86, (86). Calivil 10, 17, 27, 37, (37) lost to Marong 20, 40, 56, 75, (75).

C GRADE

Inglewood 1, 4, 7, 10, (10) lost to Maiden Gully 20, 31, 45, 70, (70). Calivil 8, 19, 23, 28, (28) lost to Marong 17, 34, 49, 65, (65). Mitiamo 8, 14, 29, 33, (33) lost to Newbridge 9, 21, 29, 38, (38). Pyramid Hill 9, 13, 21, 30, (30) d Bridgewater 12, 17, 20, 23, (23) .

B

Mitiamo 6, 13, 22, 27, (27) lost to Newbridge 15, 24, 36, 47, (47). Pyramid Hill 9, 21, 34, 42, (42) d Bridgewater 10, 21, 29, 34, (34). Calivil 10, 19, 28, 37, (37) lost to Marong 12, 30, 45, 60, (60). Inglewood 5, 12, 15, 23, (23) lost to 22, 42, 59, 75, (75)

Calivil 3, 4, 7, 12, (12) lost to Marong 10, 23, 39, 57, (57). Mitiamo 8, 16, 20, 28, (28) lost to Newbridge 11, 30, 42, 52, (52). Pyramid Hill 6, 8, 14, 18, (18) lost to Bridgewater 10, 21, 31, 43, (43). Inglewood 6, 9, 12, 15, (15) lost to Maiden Gully 11, 24, 43, 59, (59)).