Trainer Paul Murray from Kembla Grange has perpetuated his family’s notable tie to the Wagga Cup carnival, claiming the $200,000 Town Plate with Harry’s Bar.

Paul’s father, the iconic South Coast trainer Bede who has passed, initiated trips to the major country carnival back in the 1970s, frequently securing wins such as the Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) aboard Vanquished and Town Plate (1200m) on Scorpio.

Thursday saw Paul Murray enhance the family record when Harry’s Bar ($9) collared early leader Love Shuck ($61) to win by three-quarters of a length, as Bandi’s Boy ($11) finished purposefully for third, two lengths in arrears.

With a limited operation at Kembla Grange, this success represents Murray’s second feature victory over the preceding six months, after Where’s The Circus’s success in the Inglis Nursery (1000m) at Randwick during December.

Nevertheless, the family’s longstanding involvement in the two-day Wagga carnival lent special meaning to Harry’s Bar’s performance.

“It’s unbelievable. I was only a boy when we used to come down with Dad,” Murray told Sky Racing.

“We had a runner after (Scorpio), Sure And Fast, and I think he ran second or third in it, but this is my first runner.”

For Harry’s Bar, it was win number three from 16 starts, merited by her dependability following second place in the Gosford Provincial-Midway Country Championships heat and a bold fifth in the Final to Lord Of Biscay.

“She is just a very good mare,” Murray said.

“She gives you two hundred per cent. Every time you go to the races you know you’re going to get a run for your money.

She loves a fight, and I’ve never seen a mare as tough as her.”

Murray hasn’t settled on Harry’s Bar’s upcoming targets but indicated interest in the Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at Scone in two weeks’ time.

Steadfast rider Jean Van Overmeire steered Harry’s Bar to victory, doubling up earlier on the day with Brutal Belle from Luke Pepper’s yard.

The carnival proceeds Friday with the Wagga Gold Cup, in which Travolta trained by Chris Waller is $3.20 top pick.

Discover leading racing betting markets ahead of the Wagga Town Plate carnival’s highlight.

Kevin Durant is not looking for a new team following the Rockets’ first-round exit from the playoffs. The Lakers won the series 4-2 and eliminated Houston from the competition following a 98-78 win in Game 6.

Durant was sidelined for the majority of the series with a knee injury. He played in the Rockets’ 101-94 loss in Game 2, recording 23 points, six rebounds and four assists.

On Friday, a parody account on X shared false news about the Rockets’ superstar looking for a new home.

“Kevin Durant’s preferred trade destination this summer is whichever team wins the NBA finals, per @SharmsCharania,” the post claimed.

The post went viral, garnering over 633,000 impressions, 1,000 reposts and 32,000 likes on X. Durant has been in search of a ring since he left the Warriors after the 2018-19 season.

The Rockets had put their future on the line to acquire KD from the Suns in June. They sent Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the number 10 pick in the 2025 draft and multiple second-round picks to get Durant from the Suns.

Kevin Durant proved himself as an elite scorer in the regular season. He led this season’s scoring leaderboard for the franchise, averaging 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game on 52.0% shooting. However, injury troubles kept him out of the court when he was needed the most.

What’s next for Kevin Durant and the Rockets following a back-to-back first-round exit?

The Houston Rockets repeat history following a back-to-back first-round exit in the playoffs. Last season, it was Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors and this time it is LeBron James‘ Lakers. Following last season’s exit, Rockets’ general manager Rafael Stone went all-in during the last offseason to bring in Kevin Durant.

However, the acquisition hardly mattered as their season ended the same. Going ahead into the offseason, fans can expect the Rockets to make one of two decisions. They can either invest in their current lineup and trust them for another run or Stone can go all-in once again and chase another superstar.

According to Spotrac, Kevin Durant has two more years left on his two-year $90,000,000 extension he signed earlier this season. He will earn a guaranteed salary of $43,902,439 in the 2026-27 season and has a player option in the 2027- 28 season. The Rockets can include Durant in a package to bring in a younger superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo.