by Graham Fischer
Trainer Matt Maguire landed an unusual double at Globe Derby Park on Saturday.
Maguire trains Sonic Classic which won the DPR Insurance Brokers Claiming Pace and is a part-owner of Illawong Spartan, which is trained by his father Robin, a victor in the Lion Pty Ltd Three-Year-Old Pace.
Sonic Classic ($10.80), driven by Kaela Hryhorec, sat parked before dashing away to win by six metres from Teramby Star ($2.20 fav) with Callaway Bromac ($6.20), 3-1/2 metres away third.
Maguire said the eight-year-old has ‘his issues’ but the best way to drive him was to let him bowl along.
“I didn’t mind him racing outside the leader,” Maguire said.
“He goes well for Kaela and settled well and I thought he would be hard to beat.
“His form has been very consistent and with the right run he is always going to be hard to beat.”
Maguire only has a small team in work as he also works for top trainer Ryan Hryhorec and also for the partnership team of Jake Webster and Aaron Bain.
“Life’s busy but I love it,” Maguire said.
Illawong Spartan ($24.80) was beautifully driven by Wayne Hill to score a half-head win from The Lemondrop Kid ($2.10 fav) with Bella Sofia ($8.10), 17-1/2 metres away third.
The three-year-old was three back on the inside early before coming off the fence along the back straight and looming up behind the leaders.
Hill was able to sprint Illawong Spartan up the home straight and he was good enough to grab victory.
The three-year-old has now won three races for Robin Maguire after coming across from Victorian trainer Ross Sugars. The gelding is raced on lease by Matt Maguire and his sisters Karen and Rachel.
Credit to The Lemondrop Kid. It had been tackled for much of the race and fought on strongly to go under in a photo.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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