Country racing action descended on the central Eyre Peninsula town of Lock on Sunday 25 February for the 58th Lock Cup.
This fantastic community led country cup drew attendees from far and wide, with busloads arriving from Arno Bay, Port Lincoln, Kimba, and Elliston. Everyone was in high spirits and enjoyed the food and hospitality in the quaint country setting. Sitting underneath majestic gum trees, punters sat back and shared yarns in between races.
Fashion at the Races is also a well-supported feature of the day, and this year was no exception, the judge was in the difficult position of picking out winners across four categories.
Even after the races were finished for the day, the party in Lock didn’t stop. The club organised a local band to play after the races and encouraged everyone to stay and enjoy the warm February evening in the heart of the Eyre Peninsula.
It was a day for the apprentice jockeys in Lock, with all six races being won by apprentices! Rochelle Milnes continued her winning ways back on the Eyre Peninsula by claiming a riding double. Polly Brewster made her race riding debut at Lock and showed strong form straight away, running second in her first ever race.
The day, however, belonged to apprentice jockey Tala Hutchinson. Tala began her race riding career four days prior at the mid-week races at Strathalbyn. At Lock, she had five rides, finishing in the places for her first three before finishing the day with a riding double. This included claiming the 58th Lock Cup and etching her name into Eyre Peninsula racing history. Tala produced a commanding ride aboard Garret Lynch trained Shiny Rock to win the Cup. A wonderful moment for Tala and for country racing in South Australia.
The Lock Cup is a fantastic country cup and one to put on your bucket list.
Eyre Peninsula country cup action continues this week with he Port Lincoln Cup, followed by the Penong Cup, Kimba Cup and the Streaky Bay Cup to round out the run of Eyre Peninsula cups.
Check out some images from the Lock Cup below…
