By Tayler Strong
Wins with Illegal Immigrant and Brunello at Forbury Park on Thursday night continued a good season for the Prospero No 1 Syndicate; trainer Ken Barron and driver Blair Orange.
The trio have combined to win eight races. Amazon Lily (three wins) and My Cash are the other winners. Illegal Immigrant was posting his second win in six starts.
He came off the back of the pacemaker and won by three and a half lengths to give Orange his 100th win for the season. Brunello, who was successful at Washdyke four days earlier, led throughout 2200m from the mobile gate and sprinted his last 800m in a smart 57.7 and quarter in 26.8.
Illegal Immigrant, who cost $50,000, Brunello ($20,000), Amazon Lily ($26,000) and My Cash ($8000) are all 3yr-olds bought by Barron at the 2014 PGG Wrightson premier yearling sale for the 25 person syndicate. The other purchase was Sweet Alice ($14,000) who has qualified.
Amazon Lily won at Oamaru in September at her first start.
John and Colleen Gillies, of Ashburton, members of the syndicate, were on hand for the winning double on Thursday. They are also in the ownership of Scarlett Banner, the 3yr-old filly who has won two races this season from the stable of Gavin Smith.
Orange has now achieved 100 or more wins for three successive seasons with a top tally of 113 last season.
Lightning Mach will be improved for the Harness Jewels after her fresh up win. The 4yr-old mare has not raced for three months when she led for most of the way over 2200m (mobile) in 2.44.2, the last 800m in 57.4 and quarter in 27.8. She lasted by a nose.
“It was a good run fresh up and she had a good blow afterwards,’’ said Dexter Dunn, her driver.
Dunn drove Its Elvis to an all the way win in a maiden trot. Its Elvis (Sundon- Pleasant Whiz) is a brother to Its Oscar, who won seven races in NZ before he was sold in March to Perth, where he has had a win and three seconds in four starts. Its Elvis is trained by Darryn Simpson, who developed Its Oscar.
The 3yr-old trotting filly Pegarose stormed home for her second win in three starts.
Her contemporary Missandei, a $1.40 favourite, lost her chance at the start of the race won by Feather Boyz.
The 3yr-old pacing filly Nalah Franco won first up after racing in the open and reaching the lead at the 750m. The daughter of Lis Mara – Naples Franco is trained by Steven McRae for Spreydon Lodge Ltd.
Ossessione also won fresh up after leading to give Branxholme trainer Alister Black and owners, Lindsay and Ian Thomson their 12th win for the season.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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