The Mulwala Water Ski Club Yarrawonga Cup at Benalla Racecourse might have been the marquee race at the weekend, but all local eyes were fixed on race one, with three-year-old filly Flitgrove lining up for her third start.
It’s a story that goes back to July last year, when the Benalla Saints held their goods and services auction.
A long-time supporter of community initiatives and local sport, Troy Corstens of Malua Racing decided to donate two shares of five per cent each in the filly, after being asked by Benalla Racing Club General Manager Cameron Symes if there was anything he could contribute.
“Cam just mentioned it to me, (and asked) could I think of anything that I could possibly put forward to the club,” Corstens said.
“I love Benalla and I love the community and I love being part of it, and I was more than happy to offer up a couple of shares in a filly, and it just so happened that it was a nice filly."
Although he is based in Melbourne, training out of Flemington, Corstens owns property near Benalla and stayed there during the COVID-19 pandemic, and his ongoing support for the town stems from a love of the community.
“I love it, I spent a lot of time up there during COVID, because we've got a farm just down the road in Lurg,” he said.
“I really love the place, I found it very, very welcoming, I think that it's got a really good community spirit, and you know what, if I didn't have to live in Melbourne, I'd be up there in a heartbeat.”
Colin Sinclair and Sam Symes were lucky enough to purchase the shares on the night for their children, supporting their local club but also giving the kids the opportunity to be part of the story of a horse that would be trained on-course in Benalla.
On Sunday, that support paid off, with both the Sinclair and Symes families in attendance to watch jockey Lachlan King steer Flitgrove to a maiden win at Benalla, creating a brilliant shared moment of pride, not only for the connections but the town as a whole.
“It was terrific, it was good because they (Sinclair and Symes families) backed the club as well,” Corstens said of the win.
“Then obviously they're paying training fees as well, so it's terrific to get a result for everybody.”
With a promising future, the win at Benalla is shaping up as just the start of what looks to be a brilliant journey for all involved.
“We plan to bring her to town next start,” Corstens said of the plans for Flitgrove.
“She's a very promising filly that we think has it all in front of her, and we'll be looking for probably a race at Moonee Valley for her.”