Regalo Di Gaetano wins the 2021 Gold Cup

Check out some photos from one of the biggest race days on Murray Bridge Racing Club's calendar.

Regalo Di Gaetano wins the 2021 Gold Cup

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Regalo Di Gaetano has earned his owners a $58,000 gift by winning the 2021 Murray Bridge Gold Cup.

The six-year-old gelding took out the feature race by a neck at Gifford Hill on Friday.

Trainer Richard Jolly credited jockey Jake Toeroek, for his ride on the day, and Caitlin Jones for the work she had put into preparing the horse.

Race officials, trainer Richard Jolly, jockey Jake Toeroek and the owners of Regalo Di Gaetano celebrate their Gold Cup win. Photo: Peri Strathearn.

Local trainers had the next three finishers in the feature: John Hickmott and Carina Riggs, with Classy Joe, Michael Hickmott, with pre-race favourite Lord Vladivostok, and Mick Huxtable, with Perfect Route.

Hundreds of spectators were there to dine, drink and cheer throughout the nine-race day, which was interrupted only occasionally by drizzle.

Murray Bridge Racing Club chairman John Leahy described the atmosphere as sensational.

“We got through without any COVID interruptions, and it was one of the biggest fields we’ve had (in the cup) for quite a few years,” he said.

Jane Norton, Melissa Mearett, Gina Dunning, Emmalze Jones and Christine Jones enjoy Gold Cup day. Photo: Peri Strathearn.
Jason Hampel and Frank Baldi attend lunch in the event centre. Photo: Peri Strathearn.
Orbitel Technologies’ Graham Rugless, Wes Burgam, Marcus Sciverr, Stuart Ats, Matt Skrokov, Adam Reeve, Rick Dutton, Gemma Reeve and Jason Gentle spend the day trackside. Photo: Peri Strathearn.
Up from Adelaide for the races are Harry and Ali Mulvihill. Photo: Peri Strathearn.
Cody Varey, of Aldinga, and Seth Catford, of Murray Bridge, look the part. Photo: Peri Strathearn.
Soaking up the atmosphere are Jess Gordon, James Tzaferis and Jess Eaton. Photo: Peri Strathearn.

Disclosure: The author attended the Gold Cup as a guest of the Rural City of Murray Bridge. He placed two bets on the day, neither of which paid off.