ANZAC races Swan Hill Trots
An even night of racing was held at Swan Hill last Wednesday with slick times the order of the night.
In-form Euroa colt Call Me Hector was a strong winner of the DNR Logistics Pace for C1 class over 1750 metres to open the program. Partly owned, race, trained and driven by David Jack, Call Me Hector starting from the extreme draw settled mid-field in the running line as polemarker Nuggetpan led. Going forward three wide uncovered in the last lap, Call Me Hector was too solid at the finish, defeating Timeless Jasper along the sprint lane by 5.6 metres after easing around Nuggetpan on the home turn, with Longtan Cassanova 2 metres back in third place after racing exposed. The mile rate 1-57.4.
Youthful Bungaree (Pootilla) trainer Zac Steenhuis snared the Victorian Square Trotters Association Trotters Handicap for T0 or better class over 2240 metres with Als Law, a 6Y0 gelded son of Lawman and Alison Joy. With stable reinsman Neil McCallum in the sulky, Als Law settled four back the markers from 10 metres as equal 10 metre marker Lochlee Jacob began with a rush to lead. Easing away from the inside to be one/one at the bell, Als Law when joining in three wide approaching the home turn, dashed clear in the straight to score by 5 metres over the front runner which fought on courageously. Backmarker (30m) Scottish Sardius was disappointing when third a half neck away after racing parked with a circuit to travel. The mile rate 2-05.7.
Burrumbeet trainer/driver Michael Stanley’s runners always have to be respected when going to the races and heavily backed Betterthancheddar-Charlotte Church colt Watch List unplaced in two previous appearances, led throughout from gate two in the 1750 metre 3 Arms Bistro 2-Y-0 Pace. Driven hard to hold the lead, Watch List bounded away on turning to record a 19.9 metre margin over Sporty Ben which trailed, a nose ahead of Scheu Creek who did all of the work from the bell outside the winner. The mile rate 1-56.6.
The feature race on the program – the $7,000Swan Hill Anzac Centenary Cup for pacers C5 or better over 1750 metres went the way of Rochester trainer Neville Pangrazio’s 5Y0 Bettors Delight-Forest Charm gelding Showgun Thomas in a fast 1-54.2. Driven by the state’s leading reinsman Chris Alford, Showgun Thomas spent most of the race three back in the running line as Peter Manning’s speedy Christmas Jolt led from gate two. Easing three wide on the final bend, Showgun Thomas gained a last stride decision over another of the Stanley team Strathlachlan Andy, a former NSW eight year old which went forward to park in the open at the bell after being backed for plenty, going down by a half head, with Hellovaway closing in late from last to finish third 2.3 metres back.
Alford was to bring up a double after 5Y0 Somebeachsomewhere-Beninjurd gelding Somedan first up in Sunraysia for David Vozlic saluted the judge in the Western Front Pace for C2 to C4 class over 2240 metres. Going forward from gate six to cross Polar Opposite (gate 3) which exploded to the front as the start was effected, Somedan was always travelling sweetly and when asked for an effort on turning, raced away to register a 4.4 metre margin from Polar Opposite which could make no impression in a mile rate of 1-58.7. Mildura hope La Safron was third 13.7 metres back off a three wide trail last lap on the back of NSW visitor Sunrising which was fourth.
It was three to Alford after long odds-on favourite Liftntorque trained by Emma Stewart in Ballarat cruised to the wire in the Swan Hill RSL Inc 3-Y-0 Pace over 2240 metres. Burning away from gate five, Liftntorque, a Shadow Play-Georgia Cracker colt was always travelling under “double wraps” and careered away on turning to win as he pleased 20 metres in advance of Marjoie Jean which trailed from the pole, with NSW visitor Our Uncle Alan 4.6 metres away in third place after racing outside the winner. The mile rate 1-57.1.
The Swan Hill RSL Members Pace for C0 class over 1750 metres concluded the night and Melton district duo Kate Hargreaves and Alex Ashwood were successful with Somebeachsomewhere-Vouvray filly Vouvray Beach in a slick 1-55.8. Driven by Alex, Vouvray Beach led throughout from the pole to register an impressive 1.7 metre victory over the odds on favourite American Zest (one/one) which would have given Michael Stanley a double. Roughie Swearengen was third 6.2 metres back for Red Cliffs trainer Kate Attard after following the winner.
The next Swan Hill meeting will be a day meeting on Sunday May 20.
