Parliament doesn't usually make people smile but it did on Sunday when Parliament, the five-year-old gelding from Wangaratta, stormed home in a photo finish ahead of Old Man's Angel at the Cootamundra Cup meeting.
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Parliament took out the $27,000 cup, bringing grins to the faces of the 15 owners in the Victorian syndicate, as well as jockey Blaike McDougall and everyone else who backed it.
It was a great day, with people enjoying themselves too much to be put off by some hot dusty winds towards the end of the meet.
Cootamundra Turf Club hasn't done a final count but expects attendance at the Cup meeting on Sunday to exceed 1,000, higher than in recent years.
"We had great support from the town, I think everyone had a good day even though it got a bit hot and dusty at some points," said CTC president Brad Shields.
"There was still a great crowd at the last race and there were lots of terrific comments as everyone was leaving.
"The new VIP room, which replaces the marquee, was very well received, with room for improvement as it was getting a little warm in there towards the end of the day.
"All the horses and jockeys got round safely, and we got good comments on the track given the water situation across the state."
