A grey and chilly day at Hastings racecourse, but even the occasional shower filed to damped opening day spirits, as plenty of people turned up to welcome the racehorses back to East Vancouver for the 2023 racing season.
The season opener went to the WYN Racing Stables FILLY FATALE ($5.20), who was away in good order under Amadeo Perez. The filly set sensible fractions of 23.73 and 47.90 for the opening half-mile and turned back a brief challenge from TEXAS LEGACY on the final turn to draw clear late to win in hand in 1:13.86 for veteran trainer Larry Grieve.
The last one on opening day was notable as Dennis Dale, Kelly and Cathy Rycroft’s BIG UNION ($5.50), became the first winner saddled by young trainer Nicole Rycroft. Rycroft has been the longtime assistant to top trainer Craig MacPherson. Big Union raced on a contested quick pace (23.04, 46.00) and then proceeded to draw away late to win in a romp in 1:11.14 – the fastest of the day.