Stanley tops at Swan Hill Trots!!
Bungaree trainer/driver Michael Stanley snared a stable double at the Swan Hill HRC fixture last Thursday, winning with American Ideal-Flair For Life colt American Zest in the Sebastian K @ Trump Bloodstock 2Y0 Pace over 1750 metres and Falcon Seelster-Striking Sally gelding Sammy Strikes in the Decron 3Y0 Pace over the same journey.
American Zest making his third appearance at the races, led for the majority of the journey from gate four to account for first starter Brackenred (three back the markers) which flashed home to go down by a nose in a tricky finish, with Im Joey Jones third after trailing the winner. The mile rate 1-58.7.
Sammy Strikes starting from gate two on the second line was quickly into the moving line settling mid-field. Following At First Sight three wide in the final circuit, Sammy Strikes ran home strongly to score by 6.8 metres in advance of Mildura stablemates Roll The Seven along the sprint lane from three back and Ironbark Fella (three back the markers) out wide in a mile rate of 2-00.3.
The DNR Logistics Pace for C0 class over 1750 metres was taken out by Marong trainer/driver Alan Donohoe’s Union Guy-Banking On You 4Y0 gelding Pay Rise in a rate of 1-57.7. Settling three back in the moving line from inside the second line, Pay Rise joined in three wide on the final bend and in a slugging finish, prevailed by a half head over Koolaz Elvis which parked in the open. Ozstar Dragon was third 11 metres back after a sweet one/one trip.
Bolinda trainer Vince Vallelonga combined with Ararat freelance reinsman Michael Bellman to land the Pegasus Spur @ Woodlands Stud Trotters Handicap for T0 or better class over 2240 metres with honest 4Y0 Majestic Son-Conshe mare The Cooler. After a cosy trip four back the markers from a 30 metre handicap, The Cooler faced the open from the bell outside Spirit Walker which had led from the outset. Taking over in the straight, The Cooler just lasted by a head from Spud along the sprint lane after trailing the pacemaker, with track specialist Jaden Gil (one/one at bell) a head away in third place. The mile rate a moderate 2-05.5.
Junortoun owner/trainer Scott Dyer’s recent stable addition What A Flight broke her maiden status at start number 57 when successful in the Swan Hill Track Signs Available Now Pace for C0 class over 2240 metres. Driven by Ellen Tormey, the 4Y0 daughter of Man Ona Flight and Whats Risky enjoyed a sweet one/one trip from gate five as Farrahfowler led from gate two.
Easing wide on the home turn, What A Flight left her rivals standing on straightening, registering a runaway 10.2 metre margin over the pacemaker in 2-03.8. Presley Castle which trailed the leader was third 4.7 metres away after using the sprint lane.
Very smart Rocknroll Hanover-Tanabi filly Tabatha Bromac made mincemeat of the opposition in the Swan Hill Stallion Tender Opens 28 August Pace for C1 class over 1750 metres. Trained at Shepparton by Isabel Walsh, Tabatha Bromac driven by Mark Pitt led throughout from the pole, winning by a massive 29.1 metres from Ima Dad (one/one) and Turbo Elly from near last at the bell. The mile rate 1-57.6.
Charlton trainer Leon Fanning does a great job with his small team and 6Y0 Four Starzzz Shark-Maninky Flight mare Miss Meteor was an impressive victor of the 2240 metre Sweet Lou @ Woodlands Stud Pace for C3 & C4 class in a rate of 1-59.9. Driven by Inglewood based Peter Sanderson, Miss Meteor led throughout from the pole, toying with her rivals to score by 5 metres in advance of Hezthebigbopper (one/three – three wide last lap) and a death-seating Betterthanajeep who battled on gamely to be 2.2 metres back in third place.
Five year old Mister Big-Laras Theme Lombo gelding Mister Zhivago trained at Undera by Glenn Freeman gave Mark Pitt a driving double by blitzing his rivals in the Northern Rivers Equine Vet Clinic Pace for C1 class over 2240 metres, leading throughout from gate two to account for Mighty Maxwell (one/one) and Purple Village which raced exposed. The margin a massive 60.4 metres in a mile rate of 2-01.2.
*** Swan Hill race again on Sunday September 17.
