MURRAY’S WAGGA TRIUMPH EMULATES LEGENDARY LATE FATHER

LIKE father, like son!

There was no prouder person at today’s Wagga Cup carnival than Paul Murray.

The 63-year-old Kembla Grange trainer emulated his legendary late father Bede by winning Murrumbidgee Turf Club’s feature sprint, the $200,000 Town Plate (1200m).

More than four decades had elapsed between Bede Murray (who passed away in 2016) winning the race in 1982 with Scorpio (who also landed the Brambles 2YO Classic at Kembla Grange in 1980) and son Paul capturing this year’s renewal with Harry’s Bar (Jean Van Overmeire).

Well supported from lengthy double figure odds into $9.50, Harry’s Bar was given a great ride and defeated $61 roughie Love Shuck, who made a bold attempt to lead throughout, and Bandi’s Boy ($10).

“It’s such a wonderful thrill to do what Dad did in this race all those years ago,” Murray said this evening.

“The Murray stable has been coming to the Wagga carnival for at least 50 years.

“I can remember coming here as a school kid and was with Dad when Scorpio won the Town Plate.

“Dad had a lot of success here.

“He also won the Wagga Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) in 2004 with Vanquished, ridden by Digger McLellan, who overcame the outside barrier in a field of 16.”

Harry’s Bar, an unusual name for a mare (she is now a four-year-old) was one of three horses Murray purchased online through Inglis Digital in February 2004 before she had raced.

A daughter of Harry Angel, she initially fetched $150,000 as a 2022 Magic Millions National yearling.

She then found her way to John Singleton’s unreserved Strawberry Hill dispersal sale in August 2023, and was knocked down for $20,000 and found her way to Hawkesbury trainer Mick Attard’s stable.

An ownership problem resulted in Harry’s Bar again being put up for sale – and it was third time lucky for Murray.

Clearly the best of the trio of buys, Harry’s Bar has now earned just over $354,000 from her 16 starts which have yielded three wins and seven placings.

Murray had also tried to emulate his father (who won the inaugural Provincial Championships Final with Sure and Fast in 2015) by winning the recent $1m Final at Royal Randwick with Harry’s Bar.

Though she didn’t win, she ran a great race to finish fifth at $31, and Murray immediately set her for the Town Plate.

“The Harry’s Bar syndicate comprises quite a few of Dad’s old owners who are great stickers for our stable, and a few new ones.

“I’m 63, but it’s going to be a big night of celebration.

“I’ll probably be feeling 163 in the morning.”

Harry’s Bar’s victory put the icing on Murray’s training cake this season.

He also had Van Overmeire on side when $1250 buy Where’s The Circus at her first start led throughout to win the $400,000 Inglis Nursery (1000m) at Randwick last December at $51.

. Wagga also proved a happy hunting ground today for fellow Kembla Grange trainers Mitch Beer and George Carpenter.

Team Beer won the Benchmark 66 Handicap (1600m) at the Showcase meeting with McAdam (Dylan Gibbons) at $8.50.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, APRIL 30, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS