Last year Neil Farley rode Friday At Five to victory in the 2024 Hanging Rock Cup, and will be looking for a repeat performance in the 2025 Cup at ‘The Rock’ this Sunday (Australia Day).
Friday At Five is trained at Ballarat by Henry Dwyer, and at his latest start, easily won the Burrumbeet Cup on New Year’s Day.
The $30,000 bet365 Hanging Rock Cup is the feature race on the eight-event program, and Kyneton and Hanging Rock Racing Club anticipates in excess of 4000 will turn up to enjoy the picnic/holiday atmosphere at the meeting.
Race club president Gary O’Meara and his committee will be looking for another successful meeting to follow up on New Year’s Day … then it’s time to prepare for Woodend Cup Day at Kyneton on Saturday, February 1.
Farley is a very experienced jockey who has developed a good strike ride at provincial meetings, and enjoys riding at Hanging Rock, where local knowledge is an asset.
The Cup has attracted a field of 10 runners, and takes place at 4.25pm.
Friday At Five has drawn ideally in barrier 2, and should have the run of the race.
Bannerton won the 2023 Hanging Rock Cup for Swan Hill trainer Austy Coffey, and the seven-year-old is returning for his 64th race start.
At his latest run Bannerton came second in the Moulamein Cup.
Several other runners should be in the market.
The first race at Hanging Rock on Sunday is at 12.55pm, and the meeting will have full off and on-course TAB coverage.
A range of food trucks will be in attendance, and patrons can also BYO their picnic food.
Once again Kelly Sports will provide free kids’ merchandise, and free outdoor sports activities as well.
With school holidays virtually finished, ‘The Rock’ should be a final special outing for many families — whether they are regulars or newcomers for the Australia Day drawcard.
A shuttle bus service operates on Sunday, departing from Woodend train station from 10.45am to 1.15pm on a loop course, then returning from 4pm to 5.30pm.
