Manning’s big night at Swan Hill
Champion Great Western reinswoman Kerryn Manning enjoyed a great night at Swan Hill’s winter fixture last Thursday, finishing the night with a double.
Former New Zealand North Islander Steam Punk, a 3Y0 gelded son of McArdle and Trevi Bromac made a one act affair of the DNR Logistics Pace for NR52 to NR55 class over 1750 metres to open the night’s proceedings. Trained by Kerryn, Steam Punk was taken back from outside the front line at the start to settle at the tail of the field as Monash (gate three) led. Moving forward three wide at the bell to race exposed for the final circuit, Steam Punk cruised to the front on the final bend to win in a breeze, 3.8 metres in advance of Mornings which followed her home after racing in the open for the first lap, with Village Art 3.7 metres away in third place after trailing the weakening pacemaker. The mile rate 1-58.2.
Semi-stablemate 5Y0 Courage Under Fire-Dundee Hanover gelding Deadly Assassin trained by husband Grant Campbell, was too tough for his rivals in the 1750 metre NR 62-NR66 Pace. Again taken back to the rear from gate six, Deadly Assassin commenced a forward move racing for the bell to park outside the leader Fourstarzzzspecial getting there very easily. Gaining the upper hand on straightening, Deadly Assassin scored narrowly but well over the pacemaker by 1-9 metres in a rate of 1-56.2. Manassa Sky (three back the markers) was third 2.4 metres back.
Rothacker medallist Jim O’Sullivan was successful aboard Barham owner/breeder John Morriss’ Art Colony-Spy Games gelding Sands Of Zanzibar in the NR 48-NR51 class Swanhill@elliottprint.com.au Pace over 2240 metres. In what was a strong effort to score, Sands Of Zanzibar was crossed from the pole to settle three back the markers, but was able to ease away from the inside to possie three back in the moving line as Boris Devcic’s Hot Blooded Woman led from gate three. With horses all around him in the last lap, Sands Of Zanzibar had no option but to angle five and six wide on the home turn, before finishing strongly to swallow up his rivals and win by neck margin over Clever Cowboy (three back the markers-one/one home turn) and Night Safari (one/three) who was 1.1 metres in arrears of the runner up. The mile rate 2-02.9.
Shelbourne co-trainers Kate Hargreaves and Alex Ashwood scored an easy victory with promising A Rocknroll Dance-TPS Girl gelding Beat City in the Bartnprint.com.au 2Y0 Pace over 1750 metres. Driven by Alex who has a great record at Swan Hill, Beat City led throughout from gate five, accounting for Indigo Dance (one/one) by 12.7 metres in 1-58.9, with Crompton Bay 8 metres away in third place after racing uncovered from outside the front line.
Kyabram trainer Mark Watson, a regular competitor at Swan Hill snared the 2240 metre Elliottprint.com.au Pace for NR56-NR61 class with Some Chance, a beautifully bred 5YO gelded son of Somebeachsomewhere and Dancingonmoonlight at juicy odds of $18.80. Driven by stable reinswoman Ellen Tormey, Some Change raced without cover from gate three for the entire trip, dashing clear on turning to record a 5.3 metre margin in 1-59.6 over Sondel (one/one) and Karlos which led, finishing a head away from the runner up.
The pair were to bring up a double when smart Betterthancheddar-Rosalee Hanover gelding Prosecco Boy scored in the NR48-NR54 class Bart N Print Pace 3Y0 Pace over 2240 metres. Crossing polemarker A Good Knight from gate three shortly after the start, Prosecco Boy led throughout, fighting on like a caged lion to gain the day by a nose from the favourite Shoshone Brave which appeared to have him covered on the home turn after racing parked. Ruth Arthur’s Wild Imagination came from last on the markers to finish third 11 metres back. The mile rate 1-58.3.
Junortoun trainer Gary Donaldson’s track specialist - 5Y0 Angus Hall-Skye Rocket mare Skyeski chalked up her third victory on the track by taking the NR48-NR120 Elliottprint Swan Hill Trotters Handicap over 2240 metres. Driven by Lancefield’s Rod Petroff, Skyeski stepped cleanly from 30 metres and was soon in search of the lead, crossing equal 30 metre marker Scottish Sardius which had flown away to lead entering the straight on the first occasion. Allowed to dawdle at the head of affairs, Skyeski had plenty up her sleeve on turning and hit the wire 2.6 metres in advance of Bootleg Bert (one/one), with Majestic Devil running on late from the rear to finish third 6 metres away. The mile rate 2-06.
**** Swan Hill race again Wednesday August 21.
