Len Baker
Astute Lemnos trainer Russell Jack and reinsman son Nathan shared the honors alongside Bendigo-based reinswoman Ellen Tormey at Swan Hill harness last Sunday.
Both chalked up a double on an excited night of racing.
The Jacks saluted with their 3YO filly Alanza in the second event, before following up four races later with Ombra Artois.
Tormey wasn’t to be outdone, however, bookending the meet by winning the first and last races of the night – with the Mark Watson trained Casting Shadow the first, before following up with Mark Thompson trained 3YO gelding Warrantee claiming victory to end the night.
Punters were left stunned when $151 chance Wilshire Boulevard greeted the judge in the $10,000 feature race Alabar – Tradition Of Excellence Pace over 1750m.
Trained in Sunraysia by Scott Garraway and driven by Lochie Cook, who had travelled from the Western District, Wilshire Boulevard settled three back along the markers from gate three, with Starvin Marvin from gate two taking up the lead through the early stages and the highly rated favorite Chrissy Chic rounding up the field to sit in the death.
After a cosy trip, Wilshire Boulevard was eased three wide on the home turn and ran home strong to score by a half neck from Sports Mental – who flew home from four back on the markers in an eye catching run, with Starvin Marvin holding on for third.
The other feature race of the evening was the Australian Pacing Gold Pace over 2240m, with Narrandera duo Ellen Bartley (trainer) and Blake Jones (driver) claiming victory with 4Y0 mare Honor Bender in a mile rate of 1:58.3.
Settling five back along the markers from an inside second line draw with the well supported Loyola Rocknrolla leading for Jack Laugher from gate six. Despite making the final bend five wide, Honor Bender finished full of running to blouse Loyola Rocknrolla by a neck, with Ozzie Daybreak – who sat in the one/one and three wide for the last lap – running third, some 8 meters back.
The next meeting at Swan Hill will be held on Tuesday, May 17.
