25 May 2021 | Ashleigh Paikos
At just start number three for the new stable, Magic Matteo saluted at $41 odds for trainer and driver, Ashleigh Markham.
After a recent move to the Bunbury training complex, Markham didn’t have to wait long for Magic Matteo to break through for a win.
“He’s (Magic Matteo) has been working really well. I had to wait for a vet clearance. I got him off Aiden De Campo after he sacked him as the horse had a fair few issues, so I leased him off Paul Poli.” Markham said.
A false start at their first attempt didn’t seem to waver the four-year-old. Starting from the widest draw on the front line, Markham kept the gelding off the gate and settled last over the sprint journey. In an impressive display, Magic Matteo managed to cover the most ground of any runner in the race, leaving his run for the last 600m, winning by a head in 1:56:2 after what can only be described as a perfectly timed drive by Markham.
“Because he’s ODM, he’s a bit special. I didn’t realise I was that far off the gate until I watched the replay last night. Because I can’t see past him, he’s huge, I thought I was closer that I was,”
“Trent (Wheeler) pushed me, so I had to go then. I think he’s quite versatile with what he can do, but when they went so hard early and he got back, the last 400m was always going to be the slowest 400m, I was quite happy to stay out of trouble and wait for our turn.” Markham said.
Markham made his debut in Harness racing in the 2001/2002 season and has driven in a total of 3107 for 234 wins and 680 places. He made his debut to training in 2002 and has since had 1096 starters for 76 winner and 200 places. Markham achieved his A grade trainer’s licence in February 2007.
The father of four is married to Tamara Markham, a Clerk and Catcher for the trots who comes from a harness racing background as well. Markham currently has nine horses in work.
Magic Matteo sailing down the outside to win race 4. Photo: Photography by Jodie Hallows
Gary Hall Snr and Gary Hall Jnr had a winning start at Pinjarra on Monday with the duo kicking off the day with a race to race double.
Easton Robin NZ started as the short-priced $1.60 favourite in the fillies and mares maiden. After a small malfunction with the mobile in their first attempt, the seven-horse field was given the green light at their second attempt. The three-year-old NZ import settled three back on the pegs throughout, making her run three wide from the 400m point, to win effortlessly by 6.7m in the opener.
Race two went the way of Finvarra who made it two wins from four starts, returning to the track in winning fashion after a let up. The three-year-old by American Ideal hasn’t started since December 2020 but resumed at Pinjarra yesterday without a trial.
Chris Lewis drove a double at Pinjarra, with the Hall of Famer teaming up with Ross Olivieri in the third with Follow the Music. Coming off a last start fourth in the Group two Champagne Classic, the two-year-old added his second career win to his resume after settling in the one-one, mile rating 1:56:7.
Booraa NZ made it two in a row from just three starts since entering WA earlier in the year. With what appeared to be a day for the favourite punters, the $1.95 favourite led all the way for Greg and Skye Bond, with Dylan Egerton-Green in the cart for the successful team in race five.
The second leg of Lewis’ driving double came up in race six when he steered home Cordero for the win, for trainer Trevor Wright. Settling one out and one back throughout the 2185m journey, the five-year-old got his nose in front at the right time, to win narrowly in 1:58:0 at $14 odds.
Matt Scott and Shannon Suvaljko teamed up in the last leg of quaddie with Gee Smith leading all the way to victory in the standing start. At just start number three in the state, the four-year-old claimed his second win in WA since entering Scott’s stable in April, winning easily by 38.2m.
After the sad passing of Noela Johns last month, the last race on the card was named in her honour, with the trotters rounding out the card at Pinjarra. The Bob Mellsop trained Papa Razzi took out the trotters’ race with Kyle Harper steering the four-year-old to victory. The successful square-gaiter has now had 18 starts for 10 wins and four placings, taking his earnings to just under $50,000 for the Mellsop family.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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