Renee wins second Beach Cup
Renee Forrest, Mayor Deb Hamblin and par owner Robin Humberson
RENEE (Bam Bam) Forrest piloted her mount Cousin Nicci first past the post in Sunday’s Rockingham Beach Cup — for the second time.
It was a tight finish with Laughing Buddha, ridden by Bonnie Palise, in second place.
Third was Western Knight ridden by William Pike, the country’s top jockey, who has won prize money of $124,323, 296 for his connections. Beach cup organisers were thrilled to have such a brilliant rider charging down the beach.
The winning horse, Cousin Nicci, is from Serpentine trainer David Harrison’s stables. He also trained Princess Satab, which won for Renee in the 2019 Rockingham Beach Cup.
Laughing Buddha is from Ben and Dan Pearce’s Karnup stables and Western Knight is trained by Michael Grantham of Banjup.
Rockingham Beach Cup Committee chairwoman Donna McDonald was thrilled that the whole race program was able to be run. Thunder, lightning and rain pelted other parts of the state and the York Cup — also scheduled for Sunday — was cancelled
The interval between races was shortened to beat the expected rain but only a few drops fell. “Rockingham was in a little circle spared by the rain,” Ms McDonald marvelled.