Under a blazing sun at Long Road, the runners approached the stalls with the L2s in purple silks and the L3s in yellow, proudly sporting ribbons and face paint to celebrate the exciting Div 2NW Cambridge South Stakes. What beautiful mares they were…into the starting gates…

And they were off…And then they stopped because the ball wasn’t heavy enough…

The yellow team followed Tess's game plan perfectly, protecting the middle, pressing hard, and forcing errors from the purple runners. Ponytails flying, there were stick tackles and appeals, short corners for farrier incidents and the occasional fall. Despite a determined first-half display, the L2s had edged a length clear before the halfway marker.

Buoyed by sweets and encouragements – no horse whips needed here – they were back into the race and the sweat was flowing as they pressed onto into the second half. (Horse) Shoes were lost, sticks went flying but they kept defending with special mention to Jess P (POM) for some glorious clears. In goal, Selene was playing the 100th game of her life, a seasoned filly!

Into the home straight, the L3s refused to fade, battling for every ball in the heat and showing tremendous spirit throughout. But the L2s kept pressing, adding three more goals to pull clear and cross the finish line 4-0 winners. The odds might have been in their favour all along, bets stood at 3:2, but the final scoreline was perhaps not quite indicative of the strength of the field, with the L3s showing great form throughout.

Parading in the winners’ enclosure, both teams enjoyed sumptuous treats to celebrate the occasion, with a trackside view of the following L4 race. What a glorious day here at Long Road Racecourse!