THE Swan Hill Trotting Club hosted another great evening of entertainment on Tuesday night, with Bendigo-based Jordan Leedham taking the honours, driving a double across the eight races on offer.
First up was local Woorinen trainer Joe Costa’s 4YO mare Star Shine, who broke through for her first win at her 19th start in the Grizzly Engineering – Field Boss Battlers In The Bush Maiden Pace over 2240m. Settling four back along the markers from gate four as Devil Of A Smile (gate three) worked his way to the lead, Star Shine angled away from the inside upon straightening and produced a blistering finish out wide to win by a half head over Malinjang, with Devil Of A Smile coming home third, with the race run in a mile rate of 1:59.1.
Consistent gelding Wotchawaitingfor gave Leedham the driving double after taking out the 1750m Grizzly Engineering – Tiny Pace. Raced and trained at Deep Lead by Marnie Bibby, Wotchawaitingfor started from the outside gate and was immediately sent forward at the start to park outside Glam Rock, which pounced to the front from gate three. Outstaying his rivals, Wotchawaitingfor raced clear in the straight to score by 4.4 meters from Glam Rock in a mile rate of 1:56.6. Karalta Courage, after trailing the leader from the pole, eased wide on straightening to finish third, a further half neck behind.
Barham duo John Morris (owner/breeder) and Dennis Stevens (trainer) pulled off a plunge when 7YO Artistic Fella-Millenium Outbreak gelding Piratesof Zanzibar snared the fourth race on the card, winning the 1750m 4YO and older race in a mile rate of 1:56.9. With Ararat driver Michael Bellman in the sulky, Piratesof Zanzibar was sent forward from gate four to race outside red-hot favorite Fashion Passion, which led from gate two. Putting the foot down upon turning for home, Piratesof Zanzibar registered an easy 5-meter margin over Reddy Major, which ran on well out wide from three back on the markers. Markleigh Caz, after trailing the leader, used the sprint lane to finish third.
Seven-year-old ex-New Zealand gelding Our Classie Reactor took out the feature race for the night, winning the Grizzly Engineering Wheel Track Renovator Pace over 1750m. Trained at Great Western by legendary horsewoman Kerryn Manning and driven by Michael Bellman, the pair combined to send punters home happy, with Bellman taking the sit behind leader Wiltshire Boulevard from the start. Making use of the sprint lane, the favorite then dashed home to register a comfortable 2.3m victory over Wiltshire Boulevard in a mile rate of 1:59.2, with the win also giving Bellman a driving double for the evening.
The other races on the night were won by the Russell Jack trained Shez Bettors Babe (Race 1), Glens Of Tekoa (Race 2), Patched (Race 6) and the Julie Douglas trained, Abby Sanderson driven Captain Confetti (Race 7).
The Swan Hill Trotting Club’s next meeting will be held on Thursday, February 17.
