Harden trainer Mark Cummins with family and connections after Sergeant Bilko took out the Yass Cup on Saturday.
The Yass Picnic Racing Club hosted their annual picnic race meeting on Saturday and although the fields were small for the 6 race card, it was another excellent example of country racing. Harden trainer Mark Cummins took his entire stable down to Yass and had a clean sweep. Mark has two horses under his care in Sergeant Bilko and Living Fire with ‘Bilko’ taking out the Race 4-Elders Yass-EJ Merryman Ravensworth Cup Trophy Handicap over 1400 metres. He jumped from barrier 2 with 62 kilograms on his back and the 7 year old gelding by FUBU out of Darnily beat all comer home. The next race saw Cummins start Living Fire in the Delta Agribusiness Class B Handicap over 900 metres. The field of 3 was always going to make it interesting. The 5 year old mare by Seidnazar out of Fleur Des Champs saluted the crowd with the win and took home the $1800 in prize money.
Mark said “I was very confident of getting the double with the them on Saturday. Sergeant Bilko is a big horse and likes the going ‘hard’. The mare led from start to finish and won quite easily.” Mark owns his own chook farm in Harden Shire and his love of horses and racing has turned in to an interesting hobby for him. He made mention of the assistance Chris Heywood has given him in establishing himself as a trainer. ‘Fonz gave me a pad and a bridle 4 years ago along with some other equipment so I could get started and I work with Zak Leitner quite a bit also. Zak is an incredible horseman and as well as being a part owner of Living Fire he has a lot of horse knowledge. Mark is unsure as to whether he will be entering or accepting nominations in the next week or so for his 2 horses. “I will see how they pull up before I plan too far ahead at this stage.”
