Fast times were the order of the night at Bathurst’s Group One Feeds Paceway last Wednesday, but ironically, the most impressive performance of the meeting came in one of the slower races. De Santa Anna was first up for six months, for Hartley trainer Steve Conroy, against a moderate C0 field, and those who took the $1.60 quote on offer had no concerns at all, with the Santanna Blue Chip four-year-old leading easily from outside the front and dictating terms throughout.
Driver Robbie Nugent didn’t appear to change his seat, or relax his hold, as he approached the 500m point, but in the twinkling of an eye, the leader put a very big gap on the field, and Nugent just sat quietly on him down the lane to cross the line 27 metres ahead of Flip Wilson and Regal Authority, with the rest of the field coming in at intervals. On a night where half the races went in 1:56 or better, the 1:58.2 for De Santa Anna was the second slowest, but as a beaming Nugent observed, “It was just an armchair drive!”
One of the better western district three-year-olds last term, he has furnished into a magnificent type now, and judging by this win, is definitely headed for bigger and better things.
His half-brother Hectorjayjay stepped up at four last season, taking out the Group One Breeders Crown, and even though those lofty heights are certainly premature, his little brother will add something worthwhile to the family history before he’s done.
Kerryann Turner and Robbie Morris had three strong chances at the meeting, and took the opening event, a C3-C4 sprint, with Bettermore NZ ($4.60), which sat outside leader Cracka Stride for most of the race.
“He’s a grinding type, so I wanted to put him into the race, and I had a bit of luck when Ashlee’s horse (Our Leonardo) got held up and I was able to get out and move to the death.” Morris admitted.
The winner’s mile rate of 1:55.6 was threatened by a few, but remained the standard for the entire meeting.
Morris was later presented with his UDR trophy for last season at Bathurst (the first official duty for new president Wayne Barker), and collected a matching trainer’s one for his partner. With their baby due in just a few weeks, Kerryann opted to stay put in Sydney for the night.
Jess Prior recently received her Encouragement Award from Steve Turnbull, and she prevailed in a very tight finish against the leading driver when Kapow Shannon ($2.20, for Peter Bullock) held on to defeat the fast-finishing Midnight Prowler in a 2260 metres C1 class. The speed was maintained throughout, for a mile rate of 1:58.0, with a sharp 57.5 last half.
“I’m not very good at speaking,” claimed the happy youngster after just her fourth winner, and the first one at her home track, but she’s likely to get plenty of practice at the caper in future, judging by her rapid progress in the last few months.
Trainer Murray Sullivan scored first-up with recent acquisition Looksmachnificent NZ ($2.70 favourite), which rated 1:56.0 in leading throughout a C0 sprint, from trailers Scentello and Ideal Gambler, but he gave all the credit to driver Jason Gaffney.
“He’s a very free-running horse, and he’s pretty hard to stop – Jason gets on best with him, and I was happy to let him have the drive tonight. As you can see, Jason didn’t have to pull the plugs, and there’s no way the horse will stand quietly for anyone after the race either.
“He’s come from the big track at Menangle, and I’m not sure whether he’ll handle a small track like Eugowra, but we’ll probably have a shot at the Canola Cup series next.”
Murray’s fears were realized in last Sunday’s heats, but he’ll take some beating when he returns to the wide-open spaces at Bathurst in coming weeks.
Other winners for the meeting were:
Hard To Hear ($6.20, Daniel Rowell, for Taralga trainer Pat Bourke), in a C1-2 sprint, getting a nice three-wide trail down the back the last time, to come with a big finish right over the top of his rivals;
Lamorak ($10.10, Steve Turnbull), in the fast-class sprint, where he came out from the trail before straightening, for a smart win, in 1:55.7, to account for Lochinver and Treuaper, both placegetters closing hard;
Tulhurst Sarsha ($11.20, Nathan Hurst), in the second division of the C1-2 sprint, the Flightpath daughter pinging across from the outside gate to lead, and recording a lifetime best of 1:55.8 at her eleventh victory;
Merrylands Miss ($2.70, Amy Day), in the C0 sprint which closed the meeting, rewarded for very consistent form in recent starts when she came from off a slow pace mid-race to get up right on the line, making it a double on the night for the Goulburn district visitors.
The Denise and John Brien-sponsored Pick Six Competition is proving a difficult challenge for punters at the moment, with the jackpot climbing to $1475 for this week’s meeting.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
