Jockey Tyler Schiller salutes the 46,000 strong crowd as he crosses the finish line with Front Page in The Kosciuszko, at the Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on Saturday, October 15. (Photo AAP).
It was third time lucky for Corowa’s Front Page when it finally got to race in and win The Kosciouszko, Australia’s richest country race for country horses, at Randwick last Saturday.
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After two unfortunate withdrawals from this race, Front Page was magnificent, leading all the way and holding off a late challenge from race favourite Far Too Easy.
The six-year-old gelding Front Page won the 1200m race by three-quarters of a length, making Corowa identity, trainer Geoff Duryea a happy, but relieved man.
“I’m relieved, because after the last two years of trying to get to the race, we made the trip and he went out and showed them what he could do,” he told The Free Press. “He turned it on – the rest is history.”
Following Front Page’s withdrawal over the past two years, the brilliant trainer said he felt “alright” upon arrival at Randwick. “Everything was going according to plan, he handled the situation well and when in the mounting yard presented himself well.”
The big race was run differently by Front Page. “I didn’t want him to lead – he’s a better horse when he doesn’t lead,” Duryea said.
Duryea said he was a little worried when Tyler Schiller took Front Page to the front on the soft 7 rated track but he didn't really have much choice after his horse started so well.
But the $6 hope led all the way in the race which increased in overall prize money from last year’s $1.3 million to $2 million.
“It was third time lucky!” Duryea said. It was a special day also for jockey Tyler Schiller who turned 24-years-of-age. "It's my biggest win,” the jubilant jockey said.
With less than 200 metres to go, Jockey Tyler Schiller rides Front Page to victory in The Kosciuszko, at the Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on Saturday, October 15, 2022. (AAP Image).
"I knew when I got to the front that I was going to be vulnerable and he kicked really strongly and every time I used the whip he kept finding more and more."
Front Page’s next race will hopefully be at Flemington on November 5, a course where he has enjoyed victory.
Last Saturday’s marvellous performance was mentioned at Monday’s monthly meeting of Federation Council. Mayor Pat Bourke raised the subject in his Mayoral Minute.
“I would like to congratulate Geoff Duryea and Duryea Racing on their extraordinary win on the weekend…Front Page has put Corowa on the map…on behalf of Federation Council I would like us all to give a round of applause to Geoff and his team for this amazing achievement.”
Applause followed. Deputy Mayor Shaun Whitechurch said: “It certainly was an amazing achievement. I’d like to suggest council get behind Corowa Race Club in whatever it wants to do in acknowledging the performance.”
Speaking after Monday night’s Annual General Meeting of Corowa Race Club, club secretary and Federation councillor Gail Law said the club hopes to pay tribute to Duryea Racing at the club’s Melbourne Cup Eve race meeting.
“Geoff is now the only stablehand family in the Corowa area,” she said.
“Last Saturday was a remarkable effort from Geoff who started out as a jockey in Berrigan, raced in the Melbourne Cup and has continued on as a trainer, achieving a lot.
“All of us at Corowa Race Club congratulates Geoff and Maureen, and the whole team, on another remarkable effort.”
Fabulous Front Page! Corowa’s Front Page, trained by Corowa identity Geoff Duryea.Tthe six-year-old gelding was superb the whole journey, leading from start to finish in the 1200m race worth an overall $2 million.
