by Kyle Galley
Local star Professor Tom’s six-in-a-row winning streak came to an end in the fourth race at Warragul on Monday, courtesy of a brilliant front-running drive by Zac Phillips with Franco Jameson.
Well rated in the lead, Franco Jameson kept fighting and defeated his four rivals in track record time, slicing just over half a second off the time standard previously shared by Grins Rendition and Ymbro Toto.
Franco Jameson had been unlucky in strong recent races and has now collected nine wins from just 26 starts for trainer Adam Kelly.
A capacity field of 12 contested the trotters’ handicap, in which Uetliberg, from a backmark of 40m behind, produced a strong finish to defeat local Innocent Fling on the line. Ghent placed third in a race where only 2m separated the first six horses.
Pearcedale’s Simone Walker collected a popular training double, with Redand Blue Fella and Little Bit Sassy both successful.
Redand Blue Fella is raced on lease from the Kucks family by Andrew Walker, while Little Bit Sassy is owned by a large group of Cranbourne trots fans.
Two heats of the annual Ken Miller Memorial Pace saw runners compete for a place in the rich final at Warragul on June 5.
Young trainer Charlene Gusman produced All My Savings to win the first heat, courtesy of a well judged drive by Lisa Miles. All My Savings now has two wins on the board from 25 starts.
Diamond Jasper also won her second race in winning the other heat for trainer Paul Grech and driver Nathan Jack.
Mario Azzopardi and Charlie Borg combined with Irish Player, which gained a start after scratchings, to win race two, while short-priced favourite Beau Reve won her second race in as many Warragul meetings for trainer Jayne Davies and driver Greg Sugars in race seven.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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