James Family “Hipped” Out Of Finish

By Brian Marantelli 13 August 2013

The James family was deprived of a rare VCCL quinella when Mark Hipworth narrowly edged the husband and wife team back into minor placings in the Parks Victoria Handicap at Jells Park on Sunday. Mark scored his first win for the season and added another victory to a stellar CV of athletic wins. After a solid sixth in the George Perdon ten miler Mark was able to take good benefit from the run and win by six seconds from Wayne James with a further one second to wife Irene. Hugo Sarpa raced back into winning calculations with his best run for a few seasons with a close up fourth. Mark Andrews, Corina Kapusta and Leon Brooks continued with their consistent seasons. Andrew Soltys having his first VCCL run for eight weeks finished a credible eighth. Kylie Donnar after hovering close up for several weeks has worked her way into the top ten finishers and looks an excellent chance for her first VCCL win in the remaining four events. The fastest time went to Luke Searle (27:10) from Phillip O’Brien (27:37) with Corina Kapusta (31:45) again the fastest female. The novice prize went to Matthew Bateman.

The event was a combined event with over two hundred fun runners from Caulfield Grammar in their annual fundraiser for the Brain Foundation. The VCCL would like to thank all those that were able to assist at Jells Park on Sunday with marshalling and other tasks.

The last six events have now been decided by the total margin of 34 seconds, continuing a remarkable run of close finishes.

This week the VCCL, combined with the Bendigo Athletic Club, drive up the Calder highway for the second Kyneton Ridge Estate Winery 6.5km Handicap, starting at 11am. Please enter the winery from Blackhill Road (not Blackhill School Road). Driving from Melbourne, take the second Kyneton exit, turn right at the first roundabout, back over the freeway. Turn right into Hallorans Lane and then left into Blackhill Road. There are blue Kyneton Ridge Estate road signs along the way.

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