Doubles to McDermott, Herbertson and Manning at Swan Hill trots

Popular Myola trainer Graham McDermott, talented Burrumbeet reinsman James Herbertson and “Hall Of Famer” Kerryn Manning all snared doubles at last Thursday’s Swan Hill trots on a lightning fast circuit.

McDermott provided Valley Ess Jay to land the Holts Mitsubishi Trotters Handicap for T0 or better class over 2240 metres and first starter A Good Red to capture the Kiel Racing Pace for C0 class over the same journey.

Skyvalley-Steffi Jay 6Y0 gelding Valley Ess Jay driven by Kerryn Manning coming from a 30 metre backmark enjoyed a sweet trip one/one for most of the trip after trailing equal backmarker Shesasundon as Tenno Sho after a slow beginning assumed control from stablemate Tella Tall Tale.

Easing three wide on turning, Valley Ess Jay was much too solid at the finish, defeating Tenno Sho by 10.9 metres in a rate of 2-03.5, with Tella Tall Tale 4.8 metres away in third place. Shesasundon looked a likely placegetter when interfered by the runner up on the home turn.

Four year old Robin Hood-Im Makin Waves gelding A Good Red (Chris Svanosio) was most impressive from gate two on debut after trailing the poleline pacemaker and hot favourite Our Summer Bay. Dashing through along the sprint lane on turning, A Good Red careered away to record a 10.5 metre margin over Our Summer Bay in a rate of 1-57.4. Mere Mortal came from near last at the bell to be third 24.6 metres back.

James Herbertson was successful in the first two races on the program – the CTA 3Y0 Pace over 2240 metres aboard Weeks End and the Beaumont Tiles Pace for C2 class with rank outsider Extra. Weeks End, a Jet Laag-Orta Be Ruthless filly trained at Rochester by Mark Thompson starting from gate three on the second line was sent forward early in the race to park outside the heavily backed leader Well Disguised. Despite the tough passage, Weeks End showed plenty of tenacity to gain the day by 1.1 metres in advance of Well Disguised with Aintnobettor third 3.2 metres away after racing three wide solo in the final circuit from mid-field. The mile rate 1-58.8.

Cleverly named 9Y0 Totally Ruthless-Chewy Chewy gelding Extra trained at Glenorchy (Stawell) by Greg Cooper enjoyed a glorious passage from gate two trailing the leader Tell Nobody, before dashing home along the sprint lane at odds of $78.10 to account for Kamwood Caesar (one/two) by 1.1 metres in 1-56.8. Wotchawaitingfor (one/three – three wide last lap) was third 6 metres back. It was Extra’s 4th victory in 86 outings.

Kerryn Manning is always hard to hold out whenever she comes to Swan Hill and Thursday was no exception, taking the Trotters Handicap aboard Valley Ess Jay (see above) and the 1750 metre Kiel Family Pace for C6 or better class with her own trainee Ex-Kiwi Panspacificflight-Madam Maroussia 6Y0 gelding Ardens Concord. Sent forward as the start was effected from gate five, Ardens Concord had little trouble in crossing Leakys Smokin to lead, with the race becoming a procession. Kicking clear on turning, Ardens Concord scored by 6.7 metres ahead of a game Gollahman which raced exposed, with Daylight Dan (three back the markers) using the sprint lane to finish third 1-9 metres away. The mile rate 1-55.7.

Elmore’s Keith Cotchin combined with Ryan Duffy to land the Mez Share Care Pace for C0 & C1 class over 1750 metres with 4Y0 Big Jim-Cross The Line mare Gone Too far, leading all of the way from gate four to easily account for Spic And Sparkled (three wide last lap from mid-field) and Ronzel Grinner which trailed the winner. The margins being 5.4 X 15.2 metres in a mile rate of 1-55.8.

The highlight of the evening – the Kiel Tiling 2018 Blue Pearl Classic for C1 class class restricted to female reinspersons saw the Glenn Douglas (Strathfieldsaye) trained and Monique Burnett driven Pocket Thedeal victorious in a rate of 1-56.9. Starting from the extreme draw, Pocket Thedeal a 4Y0 American Ideal-Tuapeka Pocket gelding was driven brilliantly to spend most of the race one/one as polemarker The Fortunate Son led. Sweeping to the front on the home turn, Pocket Thedeal had 6.2 metres to spare on the wire from Park Life (one/two – three wide home turn), with Bella Cullen (three back the markers using the sprint lane for third 6.2 metres back.

Rochester’s Neville Pangrazio brought up two wins in succession with Bettors Delight-Forest Charm 5Y0 gelding Showgun Thomas iby taking the Northvic Waterproofing Pace for C3 to C5 class over 2240 metres. With Bendigo’s Ellen Tormey in the sulky, Showgun Thomas (gate four) led throughout, scoring by 2.1 metres over Major Patron which trailed using the sprint lane to no avail. Miss Meteor was 5.7 metres back in third place after racing in the open. The mile rate 1-59.9.