Jacks were trumps at Swan Hill Trots
Lemnos father and son Russell and Nathan Jack took the honours at Swan Hill trots last Tuesday, providing a winning double when both Hakuna and Rockon Angel saluted the judge in their respective races. Somebeachsomewhere-Miss Elvira filly Hakuna coming off a last start Kilmore success captured the J.P. Robertson & Sons 3Y0 Pace over 2240 metres in a rate of 1-58.1. Leading out from gate three, Hakuna surrendered the front running to Weeks End which had been outside her at the bell, receiving a sweet trip for the final circuit. Easing away from the markers on straightening, Hakuna ran home stylishly to record a 6.7 metre margin over the pacemaker, with Night Ninja which joined the leader on the final bend third 8.6 metres away. Rockon Angel, a 5Y0 gelded son of Rocknroll Hanover and Mattie Angel led throughout from gate three in the 1750 metre Autopro Kerang Pace, easily accounting for Dynamite Rose which raced outside him from the bell after being three back the markers, going down by 10.1 metres in 1-57.5. First starter Editrix was third 21.9 metres back after trailing the winner.
The DNR Logistics Vicbred Platinum Country Series G Final for C1 class over 1750 metres was a race for the girls, with Red Cliffs trainer Kate Attard combining with “Hall Of Famer” Kerryn Manning to gain the day with 5Y0 Rock N Roll Heaven-Lifeinthecountry mare Lifeinheaven. Given every opportunity from the pole on the back of the Mildura trained Juza drawn next door, Lifeinheaven used the sprint lane to prevail by a metre, with Juza a head away in third place. The mile rate 1-56.5.
Junortoun trainer/driver Chris Svanosio’s 4Y0 Bacardi Lindy-Peurto Bonus mare Nine Mile Cruiser was most impressive in taking the Kerang Mechanical Repairs Trotters Handicap for T0 or better class over 2240 metres. Lightly raced, Nine Mile Cruiser was making her 9th race appearance and despite racing exposed from 10 metres (which was actually the front line as there were no front markers), outgunned the leader and hot favourite Waikare Astronomer in the shadows of the post to score by a head in a rate of 2-07.1. Scottish Sardius ran her usual honest race for third 14.9 metres away after coming from last at the bell.
Local trainer Des Hilton’s 6Y0 Live Or Die-Sokin Wet gelding Itmademyday which put the writing on the wall when a close second at Bendigo a week earlier, was an easy winner of the 2240 metre J.P. Robertson and sons “ For The Last Time” Pace for C5 or better class in a rate of 1-59.3. Driven by Ararat freelance Mick Bellman, Itmademyday led all of the way from gate two, scoring by six metres in advance of Perspective which raced outside him for the final circuit, with Manassa Sky 2.4 metres away in third place after trailing the winner. It was Itmademyday’s 12th success in 69 race appearances.
The Kerang Mechanical Repairs “The Price Is Wright” Pace for C1 class over 2200 metres saw Maryborough trainer/driver Ash Matthews victorious with 5Y0 Courage Under Fire-Madam Narryna gelding Superband who obviously has an affinity with the track as he also scored there on November 7. Starting solo on the second line, Superband’s performance was outstanding, coming from the tail of the field at the bell and forced four wide on final bend, before motoring to the wide 1.5 metres clear of Heza Reddy (three back the markers) and Bella Cullen which faced the breeze. The mile rate 2-01.5.
Kialla (Shepparton) trainer/driver Laura Crossland loves competing at Swan Hill and snared the Autopro Kerang “The Price Is Always - Wright” Pace for C2 to C4 class over 1750 metres with Scotty Titian, a Four Starzzz Shark-Bonnie Titian 4Y0 stallion. Leading easily from gate two, Scotty Titian had the race in his keeping a long way out, cruising to the wire 2.4 metres ahead of Ideal Eagle which trailed. Lights And Music was tird two metres away after following the pair. The mile rate 2-01.6.
Invergordon husband and wife Ian and Tania Ward were successful in the C0 class Beauty Dust Kerang – “For The First Time” Pace over 2200 metres with 4Y0 Modern Art-Krisney mare Krisney Symbol. Driven by Tania, Krisney Symbol (gate five) was eased to possie five back along the markers as I Hope I Can led from gate two. Gaining a beaut ride home one/one from the bell on the back of Willy Go which had moved from four back the markers to face the open with a circuit to travel, Krisney Symbol finished full of running on turning to record a 1.2 metre margin over Willy Go which fought the race right out, with Nicopolis (three back the markers) third 3.5 metres back in third place. The mile rate 2-07.7.
The Swan Hill HRC wish all patrons a very happy Christmas and a safe 2018.
The next Swan Hill meeting will be Thursday January 11.
