A thrilling photo-finish to the Horsham Cup was the icing on the cake in what was an outstanding success for Horsham Racing Club.

More than 1500 people packed Horsham Racecourse on Sunday to enjoy not only an eight-card event, but perfect weather to socialise, enjoy live music and participate in Fashions on the Field.

Dublin Journal won the $60,000 Horsham Cup, just ahead of country cups king Station One, who had won the Murtoa Cup earlier this month. Trained by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, Dublin Journal started $2.80 favourite and travelled strongly in the 2100-metre race.

At the turn, the six-year-old was stuck behind leaders Lottaroc and Station One, but jockey Fred Kersley found the gap at the top of the straight, and scored a gritty win by the narrowest of margins.

Lindsay Park’s Flemington stable manager Will Evans was delighted to get the result for the group of connections.

“What a huge thrill for the whole team. There’s some great owners in this horse, they come to every start,” he said.

“Freddy gave it a great run – we’d been a bit unlucky, so I didn’t know on the post, but to see him get his head in front at the right time is a huge thrill.”

Despite the tight finish, Kersley said he was confident he and Dublin Journal were first past the post.

“It was a fantastic result but more importantly I’m glad I was able to do the horse justice,” he said.

“Out there I certainly thought I had it, amazingly enough, and then when I was weighing in I was a little bit shocked when I looked at the photo in how close it was.

“But look, he’s ever so competitive, our fellow, and I was quite conscious not to try and hedge Station One too early because we know it’s got a fair bit of dog in it, Station One, and I’ve headed it in before and he’s come back and beat me on other horses.

“It’s pretty critical not to try and head too early, but geez, from the 600 (metre mark) I really felt like I was on the winner.”

It was the second win of the day by the Lindsay Park team with A Book of Days, with Pat Moloney aboard, scoring his second win in a dominant run over 1100 metres.

Another to shine at the meeting was jockey Linda Meech, who notched up a treble including back-to-back victories to open the card with Kings Valley, trained by Ciaron Maher Racing, in race one; Cash Converter, for Kane Harris in race two; and Naval Academy, Ciaron Maher Racing, in race six.

Winners of the Fashions on the Field were: Lady of the Day: Melanie Wade,  of Horsham; Lady of the Day runner-up: Lauren Dempsey, Stawell; Contemporary Lady:  Bridgette Woolston, Penola; Contemporary Lady runner-up: Janine English, Horsham; Best Millinery: Ruth Kaguramamba, Horsham; Gent of the Day: Maddy Gupta, Melbourne; Gent of the Day runner-up: Adrian Wade, Horsham; Glamourous Duo: Kelly and Michael Carty, Bendigo.

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