MURRUMBIDGEE Turf Club launched its spectacular spring program with a record-smashing Aggies Race Day on Saturday.
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Basking in magnificent weather, the second biggest crowd of the MTC season turned out for the six-race card which was dominated on the track by Dubbo jockey Kody Nestor.
Riding with tremendous skill and initiative, Nestor trumped his rivals with four victories from as many mounts.
On a day to remember, Nestor triumphed on Dusty Devil ($19), Video Show ($2.20 favourite), Magic Franco ($4 equal favourite) and Just Elle ($10) to finish as the pin-up jockey of the Wagga meeting.
As Nestor later celebrated his winning quartet, the MTC was also taking stock of an Aggies Race Day of unrivalled success.
MTC chief executive Scott Sanbrook later yesterday reported a crowd of 4750 had stamped the Aggies meeting as a "terrific occasion".
Speaking to The Daily Advertiser, Sanbrook yesterday described the Aggies card as a "huge day".
"We had 4750 people which is up 20 per cent on last year," Sanbrook said.
"Aggies Race Day is now firmly cemented as our second biggest race day behind Wagga Cup day.
"There was a great feel about day."
Sanbrook said the "social" side of Aggies Race Day set the meeting apart from the Wagga's greatest race day which attracted 9000 in May.
"It was great to see so many young dress up, and get in the spirit of the occasion," Sanbrook said.
"There was a real atmosphere.
"It's wonderful for Wagga to have such an event like this, but it's also important for the racing side as well."
For the MTC, the booming Aggies Race Day was the perfect "lead in" to the club's superb spring program.
Sanbrook said the MTC was excited to have another three meetings to give racegoers a chance to share in the exhilaration of the spring racing carnivals in Melbourne and Sydney.
"Aggies Race Day was the launching pad for a huge spring program for us (MTC)," Sanbrook said.
"We have the picnic races in two weeks, and two weeks after that the Men of League Race Day on Caulfield Cup day.
"Obviously they lead up to Melbourne Cup on November 4.
"They should be all great social days as well."
Significantly, Sanbrook revealed the MTC was delighted with the responsible behaviour of Saturday's record turnout.
"We couldn't have been happier," he said.
Wagga trainers Wayne Carroll, Peter Churche and Trevor Sutherland , meantime, each landed a winner on Aggies Race Day with He's A Chance, Video Show and Battle of Evermore respectively.
Wagga rider Brad Clark was originally booked to Video Show for Churche, but was forced to stand down from the meeting after being hurt in a track accident on Friday.
With Clark sidelined, Nestor jumped aboard as the replacement jockey and got the desired result.
CARNIVAL CAPERS
MTC spring program
October 4: Wagga Picnics (TAB)
October 18: Men of League day (TAB)
November 4: Melbourne Cup day (non-TAB)