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Cup day thriller in Balranald

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.

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