SPORT: Sulky Snippets with Len Baker
- The regular Tuesday night Shepparton fixture was held on March 4 and Sutton Grange owner/breeder/trainer Clive Henderson was all smiles after 5Y0 Sportswriter-Dance Of Fire gelding Edward Grange chalked up his eighth success in 44 outings by effortlessly winning the 2190 metres Pacing For Pink Day May 4th Pace.
With James Herbertson aboard, Edwarde Grange exploded away from gate five to lead easily with no challengers forthcoming, coasted to a 7.6 metre margin in advance of Strong Response along the sprint lane from three pegs returning a mile rate of 1-56.6.
Mongiana after being restrained from outside the front line was third 1.3 metres back after racing three wide solo from mid-field at the bell. Clive’s wife Rachel was cheering from over the fence, but never had a moments worry. - Heathcote owner/trainer Terry French combined with future son-in-law Alex (Alby) Ashwood to record an impressive victory in the Hunter Rural Pace over 2190 metres with 8Y0 Art Major-Rose Of Hollywood gelding Lorimermajor and in doing so, probably produced a best ever performance to win.
Settling a long way back in the field from gate three on the second line as Denzil Debro led from gate five, Lorimer Major gained a lovely trail home three wide on the back of Mynameisruby (gate three) ahead of him in the last lap before letting rip four wide to loom large outside the leader Sir Sonny Maguire (gate two second line) which had crossed the pacemaker. Finishing full of running, Lorimermajor scored by 1.3 metres from Sir Sonny Maguire who’s effort was strong. Iamawingate (gate four) after going forward to occupy the spot outside the leader then one/one), ran his usual honest race for third 9.8 metres away. The mile rate 1-59.3. - Mitchellstown trainer/driver Kylie Sugars was successful with handy Vincent-Night Vision gelding Momentum Shift in the Saddleworld Shepparton Pace over 1690 metres.
Bred and raced by Frank Jessup who has been in the business for a long time, Momentum Shift led out from gate two, before allowing Shazza Love after a fast beginning from the extreme draw to take over prior to the bell.
Enjoying the run of the race, Momentum Shift made full use of the sprint lane to greet the judge 1.4 metres ahead of polemarker Kalkadoon Dreaming (three pegs) which also used the sprint lane late. Skyfall Dreaming (gate two on the second line) after going forward to race exposed for the final circuit was third 2.7 metres away. The mile rate 1-55.9. - Myrniong breeder/owner/trainer Jess Tubbs snared the Central Tyre Service Maiden Pace over 1690 metres with 3Y0 Always B Miki-All Promises gelding Final Promise in a 2-01.1 rate. Driven by husband Greg who does plenty of work with the team, Final Promise (gate six) raced exposed outside the pole marker Wheres Lexi proving too strong by 4.9 metres at the finish for Wheres Lexi, with Hello Darlin (three pegs from a solo second line draw) easing wide on turning for third 3.7 metres back.
This Week
- Tuesday – Shepparton, Wednesday – Maryborough/Bendigo, Thursday – Ballarat, Friday – Mildura/Melton, Saturday – Melton, Sunday – Charlton (Cup)/Cranbourne.
Double Day
- Double day Tuesday saw Terang race during the afternoon and Bendigo at night.
At Terang, five year old Danny Bouchea-Trotn On The Casba gelding Mitchell Wrap brought up two wins in succession when an easy victor of the Terang Co-Op IGA Trotters Handicap over 2180 metres.
Trained at Ross Creek by Jennifer Douglas and driven once again by Jordan Leedham, Michell Wrap stepped cleanly from a 20 metre backmark as polemarker Boutika led. After both Old Villa Boy (10m) and Mystery Fred (10m) galloped, Mitchell Wrap settled four back along the markers looking the winner a long way out. Going forward in the last lap to join Boutika on the final bend under a grip, Mitchell Wrap strode clear to record an effortless victory 17.6 metres clear of Boutica, with Mystery Fred making up many yards for third 11.6 metres away after Icicle (three pegs) had third spot all tied up but for galloping approaching the final bend. The mile rate 2-03.7. - Heywood trainer Bec East has a good record when attending Terang meetings and 5Y0 Rock N Roll Heaven-In Her Memory gelding Hez All Rock snared the 1680 metre Sungold Milk Pace with Jackie Barker in the sulky.
Settling four pegs from gate four with polemarker The Sportz Star leading before surrendering to Keayang Taco (gate five). Gaining a beaut ride home in the last lap on the back of Bolramski which came out from three pegs ahead of him, Hez All Rock took time to wind up when extricated three and four wide on turning and finished best to bouse Bolramski in the last bound by a head.
Keayang Taco held third 2.8 metres away. The mile rate 1-57.8. It was Hez All Rock’s 10th victory in 62 outings which include 14 placings. - Mount Gambier owner/trainer Malcolm Whitehead who has a great record on Western District tracks combined with Hamilton’s Rod Barker to land the AJ & M Automotive Centre Pace over 1680 metres aboard 6Y0 Hes Watching-All The Money gelding Martin Magic.
Safely retaining the inside running from the pole, Martin Magic the winner of 11 from 90 going into the race defied all challengers to greet the judge 2.9 metres in advance of Line Up Jacquie (five pegs from outside the front line – outside winner last lap), with Shady Dancer (six pegs one/one last lap from gate five third 1.1 metres away. The mile rate 2-01. - It would be very rare for Ecklin South co-trainers Marg and Paddy Lee not to win a race at Hamilton and Love You-A Jewel In The Crown filly Jilliby Dreamlover spaced her rivals in a mile rate of 2-03.4 in the 2180 metre Maiden Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres.
Driven by Jason Lee, Jilliby Dreamlover led throughout from the pole, running out a gigantic 54.1 metre margin over Aldebaran Buddy which trailed) before galloping on turning. First starter Ridethelightning 44.8 metres away third from the tail after a bad beginning.
Unfortunately the race had no title which was most disappointing considering there would have been plenty of names such as local towns etc available for consideration. - What a money machine Melbourne owner Kevin Clark’s 8Y0 Mach Three-Kateeshar gelding Shaq has been, winning his 22nd race (52 placings) at start 191 at Bendigo. Driven by Liam Older for Charlton’s John Tormey, Shaq landed the Dennis Engelbo Racing – Swedish Media Partner Pace over 1650 metres.
Shaq (barrier three on the second line was off and running from mid-field to race exposed at the bell as Regal Rock (gate five) had crossed Cobalt Blues (gate four).
Surging clear in the last lap, Shaq held a margin to the wire, accounting for Jilliby Typhoon (one/three – three wide to breeze on the final bend). Vincent Grange (gate five on the second line – three wide last lap) was third. The margins 1.2 by 10.3 metres in a mile rate of 1-55.2. - Local Junortoun trainer Garry Graham’s 4Y0 Vincent-Whata Impact mare Heavens Gift was an impressive victor of the 2150 metre Get Real Support Teal Mares Pace.
Raced by the Graham family Garry, Melva and Kirsten, Heavens Gift bred by Garry & Melva starting from gate four on the second line ended up near last as polemarker Lollipop led before being crossed by Taste It (gate five) with Lollipop retaking the lead shortly after with Bettorsweetvictory going forward from mid-field to join her. In an action packed event, Diamond Mac commenced a three wide forward move from the rear hitting the back straight on the final occasion being trailed by both That Majalook and Heavens Gift.
With horses spread all across the track on turning, Heavens Gift after angling four wide, swamped her rivals halfway up the running to record a runaway 10.9 metre margin over Little Blabbermouth (one/two) and Diamond Mac which battled on bravely for third a neck away. The mile rate 1-57.8. - Kilmore’s Corey Bell was successful with heavily supported 5Y0 Art Major-Jets Girl gelding Major Bert ($14-$6) in the Yorkshire Park Standardbreds Pace over 2150 metres.
Given every chance by 20 year old George Chamouras, Major Bert enjoyed a cosy one/one trip from gate three as Nomorelying led from gate four with Madam Reactor (gate five) in the open.
When Owen The Saints made a dynamic three wide move from last racing for the bell, Michael Bellman seized the opportunity to shift down the back of the leader with Madam Reactor again leaving Major Bert one/one but not for long as Alby Ashwood rushed Lochiel Lad from the rear to race exposed for the last lap.
This opened up the field with Major Bert held up as Owen The Saints gave ground losing his spot. Easing wide in the straight, Major Bert gave chase to the leader with Cee Oh Dee (gate two) also giving chase from mid-field.
Finishing hard out wide, Major Bert held too many guns for Cee Oh Dee to just last by a half head returning a mile rate of 1-58.3. Lochiel Lad was strong at the finish to hold third a neck away in a thrilling finish. - Locksley part-owner/trainer John Nissen’s high class 4Y0 Love You-Im Lady Angus gelding Locksley Cavalier first up since last November was tough in winning The Edge Equine Trotters Mobile over 2150 metres.
Driven by part-owner Bec Bartley, Locksley Cavalier (gate four) raced uncovered outside the good front runner My High Peak (gate two) before racing clear on turning to reach the wire 3.2 metres in advance of Mac Flick (one/one) and My High Peak who was 12.5 metres away. The mile rate 2-00.6.
•The very large syndicate headed by Clare Payne who race 4Y0 Lucky Chucky-Calder Sun mare Promise Dream would have been jumping for joy when she charged home to land the Sandhurst Stockfeeds Trotters Mobile over 2150 metres.
Trained and driven by Romsey’s Chris Svanosio, Promise Dream was left exposed from gate four in the early stages before being shuffled back to be one out/two back racing for the bell as both Ox Knox (gate six) and the favourite Frosty Girl (gate seven) went forward from the rear with Frosty Girl joining Dreams Of Love (gate five) which had led from gate five.
Trailing Watch And Act home three wide from the rear in the last lap, Promise Dream after angling four wide in the straight swamped her rivals to record a most impressive half neck margin over Frosty Girl and Dreams Of Love which held third 1.4 metres back. The mile rate 2-02.4.
At Ballarat
- It was Ballarat on Thursday and George Chamouras continued on from the night before with another winner – 8Y0 Peak-Drop Us A Line mare Baarlinee for Stawell’s Jason Ainsworth in the VHRC / Aldebaran Park Concession Drivers Pace over 2200 metres.
Despite racing parked outside Love Who (gate 3), George never panicked and Baarlinee (gate six) was much too strong for her rivals, scoring by 11.9 metres from Love Who and Allwhatfunjingles (three pegs from gate two on the second line who was a head away third. The mile rate 2-01.7. - Five year old A Rocknroll Dance-The Waratah gelding Neatntidy landed the VHRC / Benstud Pace over 2200 metres returning a mile rate of 1-56.9.
Trained at Horsham by Aaron Dunn and driven by ex-Tasmanian Ryan Backhouse who has done remarkably well since joining the stable, Neatntide was best to begin from gate three before relenting the the pressure of Mattie Craven and Bolramski (gate four) in the back straight on the first occasion.
Enjoying a sweet trip, Neatntide was extricated four wide in the straight on turning to gain a 4.2 metre victory over Remi Lou (gate seven) which flashed home from mid-field, with Bolramski a neck away third after not seeing out the trip. The mile rate 1-56.9.
Glorious run
- Friday was Apco Geelong Pacing Cup night and it was a semi local victory to the $40,000 (Group 3) feature over 2570 metres when 6Y0 Rocknroll Heaven-Timeless Perfection mare Rakero Rebel greeted the judge as two of the part-owners were former Geelong President Neil Allen and wife Pat along with Myrniong trainer Jess Tubbs and mother Kate, Barry Fullwood and Gary and Rohan Jarvis.
Given a glorious passage one/one from gate five as the two favourites Keayang Tokyo (gate one and two time cup winner Mach Dan (gate two) dualled as the gate pulled away with Keayang Tokyo winning out, Rakero Rebel travelled beautifully and when driver Greg Sugars eased her three wide on the final bend, she showed her sprinting prowess to prevail by a half neck over a game Mach Dan which did all of the work. Tango Tara came from the tail out wide for third 2.5 metres back.
In quarters of 30.4, 29, 26.9 and 27.9 after a lead time of 72.6 seconds, Rakero Rebel returned a mile rate of 1-56.9, two seconds outside Act Now’s race record of 1-54.9 set in 2022.
Len Baker