BBQ Stakes - Lunchtime run

Well, well, well! It was cool today with snow falling on the Brindies as we circulated in Woden.
The Retirees, a delightful group, were confident today whilst the Others were subdued but focused.
Simon Claringbold pulled up his socks today and showed a clean pair of heels to all, getting the Others off to a superb start.
The ever reliable Kerrie Muir cruised home in second place to strengthen the Others hand.
Roger Pilkington then stepped up for the Retirees and he was confident that his team mates would rise to the occasion.
Little did he know that the rampaging Dan Webb was already almost at the line and he duly cruised across giving the Others a dominant win.
A big shout out to Rohan Tankey who "busted" for the first time today and he will be delighted to meet a new group of runners next week.
Our evergreen Stalker, Lloyd Edwards celebrated his 1300th Lakes Stakes run yesterday to go with his 931 at the Stakes. Well done Lloyd.
A big thanks to Kate and Mark for all the snaps.
I will add photos shortly

Will be a bit slippery today, and pretty bloody cool.
I'm expecting big efforts from Tony, Bruce and Ian to get the Retirees across the line!
Over to you Others.

Another superb day for the Stakes, but there was a requirement to exercise caution in a few spots after the deluge over the last two days.
Natty Beck was able to head off her correct time today and buoyed by that she cruised home for a strong win.
Florian Benz put in another strong performance to finish second and in a surprise to no-one, Bruce Wight rounded out the podium.
There are times when a really strong performance flies under the radar but this time Jen, it has been spotted. Jen Blaylock took a lazy 2 minutes and 1 second off her recent PB and if Nathan ran next week he would be getting a start and Jen would be circulating with Lloyd Edwards! Well done Jen.
Thanks again to Team Murphy for the snaps and a big thanks to Jeff McKenzie for doing duty, enabling Scott to have a run.

Some more photos while waiting for our photographer Kate Murphy.

The weather god knew that Caroline Campbell won last week and she organised superb conditions for Caroline to do duty, not aware that Kerrie and Adrian were subbing for the little champ.
Scott Marshall took advantage of the conditions to provide us with our second consecutive surprised winner. Scott looked very comfortable crossing the line and our handicapper will look very closely at the numbers before adjusting Scott's handicap.
Simon Claringbold, on his 41st anniversary of his PB, crossed for a controlled second with Hakan Mangoz rounding out the podium.
If Chris Pauling went off her correct handicap this week, then we may need to do some introductions next week as she meets a whole new group of runners. She looked to be cruising today.
Thanks again to Team Murphy for the comprehensive snaps package

Managed to get a couple of photos of our fabulous photographer Kate Murphy

On the 13th May 1967, Dr Christian Barnard performed the first successful human heart transplant in South Africa.
On the 13th May 2026 the BBQ Stakes was contested in Woden.
I have no photos of the first, but, courtesy of Team Murphy, I have plenty of the second.
Our surprised winner today was Caroline Campbell, who very carefully had double checked her handicap before the start.
Amber Hutchison gave every impression of being late for a meeting over the last few hundred metres and she was delighted that her second place would probably be rewarded with a bit extra on her handicap.
Chris Pauling, the third leg of the ladies trifecta, did something that very few Stakers have been able to do in 2026, and that was to keep Bruce Wight off the podium! The Bondi Junction TAB has a rising star against her name and the smart money is tipping a win in the very near future.