A joyous atmosphere rippled throughout Tamworth Racecourse as one of the biggest meetings of the season was staged on Sunday afternoon.
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With the mercury climbing into the low 30s, an estimated crowd of up to 1200 partied under a blue sky on a day that the Paul Messara-trained Akasawa won the $150,000 Hunter and North West Country Championships.
Friends Clare Richardson and Raquel Dormehl were among the race-goers.
"It's quite a good day, good turnout, good crowd and good racing," Dormehl said.
For Jack Penfold, it was his first meeting as Tamworth Jockey Club's new general manager.
The 29-year-old returned to his hometown with his family to take up the position.
He said the club was anticipating a crowd of about 1200.
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"They keep rolling through the gates, and it's a nice warm day for them," he said, adding: "We'd be happy with around the 1000 mark."
In a thrilling feature race, Akasawa (Aaron Bullock) justified his favourite status by finishing over the top of Running Bear - with the Cody Morgan-trained Casino Lord a close third.
Akasawa and the Jan Bowen-trained Running Bear have qualified for the $500,000 Country Championships final at Randwick on April 1.
Messara said of Akasawa: "He's a very strong horse, he loves winning, he gives 110 per cent. When things get tough, he finds the line."
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