10 January 2019 | FARREN HOTHAM
RESPECTED driver Neville Donnelly hasn’t got a big stable anymore and luck turned his way at Bathurst on Monday afternoon bringing tears of joy for the trainer Christine Brodie and her family.
Donnelly was aboard ($8.80) pop Family Ambition and he sat patiently just off the pace and carefully guided the seven-year-old past another local Flightnfight to record a stunning victory. The favourite, debutante, Major Hall galloped on release at the mobile and left the race with options.
“I wasn’t really that confident but she did the job well. I’m so happy for Chrissy,” Donnelly said.
Christine Brodie who trains the mare rushed trackside with her family to celebrate the mare’s first career win. Joy Brodie summed up what it meant to them.
‘’We’re so excited this is Family Ambition’s first win and Christine has worked so hard,” she said.
“There will be a lot of tears.”
The Bank of Reliance Pace over 1730m was a celebration of what the sport is about . “I’ve driven a few winners here and it’s much better than the old days at the Showground,” Donnelly said.
Local trainer Peter Bullock created a personal milestone training a trifecta in the WIN News Pace (1730m) and popular reinswoman Amy Rees was full of praise for her mentor who shied away from the glamour.
Enk Spot Shannon ($5.60) upset favourite ($2.30) Jedda Shannon with a strong finishing burst with Bullock’ other pacer Shazam Shannon ($37.60) flashing up for third.
Rees sat off the pace and pulled to the outside unleashing a strong dash. Mud spattered, Rees was full of praise for Bullock and his team.
“It’s great for Peter, he does a good job. I was pretty comfortable with him sitting behind the pace and getting a good run,” Rees said.
It wasn’t the end for Rees and Bullock either with another Shannon-named pacer taking out in the Bathurst Toyota Pace (1730m).
Lorenzo Shannon unwanted by punters ($19.20) powered home with Rees driving brilliantly to grab a double over legend Steve Turnbull on A Little Bit Dusty.
“I knew he was going well and we got there,” Rees said.
Meanwhile, Browns Creek trainer-driver Jake Davis took the Town and Country Rural Supplies Pace with his three-year-old Sonny Studleigh rushing home from well back to sweep past favourite Ginger Leigh. Race Caller Fred Hastings awarding Davisthe ‘Best Drive of the Day’.
Goulburn driver Neil Day said fitness was the key for the sweet victory of Better Than Grange in the 1730m TAB.com.au Ladyship Pace downing favourite Wandary Muscat who led everywhere but the post .
“She was always going well and she just had the better condition in the end after three runs.” Day has 12 horses in work at Goulburn “and that’s enough” Day said.
Locals also celebrated when Will Rixon piloted Abercrombie Tab to victory in the Lexus Of Dubbo Pace (1730m) . The Betts family train the six-year-old gelding who motored past Hey Suzie and Another Buddy.
“I was happy to sit behind them and come home,” Rixon Said.
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