Rain delays the Northampton Cup’s return at Geraldton Turf Club

The return of the Northampton Cup will have to wait another year as the race was hampered by rain on Sunday. Storms threatened to ruin the day before it had begun as the race meet was delayed by an hour because of lightning within 10km of the track. As the rain and lightning let up, organisers decided to press on with the event. Race one, the Waratah Maiden, was won by My Conviction, followed by Miss Eugen and Dented Romance in third. Sleipner took out the second race, the Zoetus Maiden, beating out heavy favourite Finest Clobber in a photo finish. Sly as a Fox stormed home to win race three, pipping out Dark City. The final race of the day was claimed by Dark Peak, ahead of Pit To Win and third-placed Edmond. Just one race away from the main event, the Northampton Cup, organisers made the decision to cancel the remaining races. Geraldton Turf Club chairman Brian O’Dwyer said the last three races were cancelled because rain had caused “a few holes”. “The jockeys made the decision and the stewards concurred it was not an administrative decision,” he said. “I think it’s just unfortunate that the day has turned out like it has weather-wise and COVID that it hasn’t been quite as buoyant as it might have been, but still that’s the way it goes.” While Mr O’Dwyer was disappointed with how the day had panned out, he’s adamant it will return bigger and better next year. “It’s a re-emergence and hopefully, from our point of view, the Geraldton Turf Club, we’d like to keep it going.” It had been 38 years since the Northampton Cup was last run at the Geraldton Turf Club.