Cycling
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MAL Nash reckoned he was a 50-1 chance in yesterday’s 100km Nemingha-Nundle-Nemingha Handicap race.
After backing In A Wink to win the Luskin Star Stakes at Scone on Saturday, he couldn’t find a taker for his long odds before going out and landing the feature race in a bunched sprint from five cyclists in a race he’s been trying to win for 20 years.
He surprised even himself in a race he had only missed a couple of times since he took up riding as a 33-year-old.
Yesterday, the 53-year-old plasterer painted the Calala Inn a happy picture after “landing the cash” when he sprinted past Inverell’s Arthur Parker and Tamworth clubmate Allan Partlin in the final 50m.
Muswellbrook’s Nicky Western was a gallant and close fourth after leading for 96km of the 100km race with Gunnedah’s Nathan Brown fifth.
Tamworth’s Mitch Carrington also produced a big effort when he rode a race record 2hrs 20mins 58secs while Armidale’s Joe Waugh won the 35km race from Josh Nash, Jess Saunders and Sam Ellicott. Jess Saunders also rode the fastest time in that handicap, clocking 58.19secs.
However it was Nash, better known as Chum, who won all the plaudits, although he was full of praise for the lone ride by Nicky Western.
“I couldn’t keep up with her early, she got away from us at Chaffey Dam.
“We thought she was on rocket fuel. She was nowhere to be seen when we came through Woolomin. I didn’t catch her until four or five km out.”
Nash was delighted to have won a race he first rode 20 years ago.
“I was slower this year, but finished between 20th and 30th last year,” he said.
“It’s only taken me 20 years.”
He said it might have only been his “first or second sprint” in the race as well.