Trainer Grahame Begg will be able to enjoy the last few days of a holiday in Japan following the debut win of Riverina Lulu at Flemington.
Begg will plot a spring campaign with the daughter of Blue Point after he victory in the TAB We’re On (1000m) on Saturday.
Ridden by Harry Coffey , Riverina Lulu ($8) scored a comfortable 1-½ length victory from Leopard Shark ($26) with The Troubleshooter ($31) a further three-quarters-of-a-length away third.
Begg stable spokesman Rowan Hughes said the trainer deserves kudos for deciding on Saturday’s race in preference to a race at Sandown on Wednesday.
“He identified her very early and he had the option to go to Sandown on Wednesday,” Hughes said.
“But in the end, he was adamant he wanted to come here even though he was taking on race experienced horses that had won.
“He emphatically got it right and, in the run, she was keen early, but Grahame was keen for Harry to have a hold of her and get her in a rhythm and conserve herself and she did that well.
“There was a tight little gap there for a horse having her first start at Flemington and she basically towed into the gap and when he gave her a squeeze she accelerated really well.
“It is really exciting.”
Flemington Race 2 | Riverina Lulu
Too good late! 🚀 @Grahame_Begg‘s promising filly lets down brilliantly to cause an upset under the in-form @HTCoffey 🔥
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/tluR2ybzkm— Racing.com (@Racing) July 18, 2026
Hughes said the Begg stable had not had a lot of experience with the progeny of Blue Point and for that reason just took Riverina Lulu along slowly.
“A lot of them have been showing good ability which hasn’t always translated into race day,” Hughes said.
“But she went to the jump-outs on very heavy ground and just motored through it, so that meant today was the right time of the year to come to the races.
“To do that on debut against race experienced horses and cope with the day, it’s suggestive of a really nice horse going forward.”
Hughes, who has had a long association with the Begg stable, said ‘the boss’ was likely to let the dust settle on Saturday’s win and plot a path to the spring.
“He might hold on to her now and give her a little blow and get ready for the spring,” Hughes said.
“Timing wise we’re pretty close to the spring, but there might be a nice race in the spring here if that’s the way he wants to go.
“She’s from a very fast colonial family and when you look at her, she’s just a barrel on wheels.
“She’s a speed horse and winning over 1000 metres is one thing, but whether she gets 1200 metres is another thing.
“I’m sure Grahame will just let the dust settle and plot a path.”
