Nathan Spicer
PUNTERS and horses alike braved the sweltering 42-degree heat on Saturday afternoon for the first March edition of the Balranald Cup.
A strong crowd, considering the weather, were treated to a spectacle in the feature race, with the Balranald Cup heading to a photo finish.
No.3 Bezazzalled kicked two lengths clear of the 10-horse field with 200m remaining, but was run down by Wangaratta trainer Andrew Dale’s Legal Zou ($6.50), who took out the photo. Kiwi horse Upswing came third.
On board Legal Zou was 45-year-old jockey Bradley Vale.
It was the Dale and Vale pairing’s second win of the afternoon, with the duo taking out race two with Threetimeslucky.
Jockey John Keating also snared a double, winning the opening and closing races of the card on Bassons and Bon Hombre, respectively.
