HARNESS racing returned to Swan Hill on Wednesday, with the Swan Hill Trotting Club hosting a nine-event program sponsored by the Victorian Harness Racing Club and carrying bonuses for all paid-up owners.
Horsham trainer-driver Aaron Dunn was the star of the night, securing a double aboard You Beauty (race three) and Hot Deal (race seven).
You Beauty got Dunn’s night off to the perfect start, claiming the Mark Gurry & Associates 2YO Pace over 1750m in a mile rate of 1:56.7.
Allowed to amble away from gate three, You Beauty settled five back along the pegs, as Major Milestone scorched away from gate four with Royal Appointment also starting fast from outside the front line to cross her.
Coming away from the markers at the bell to race exposed, You Beauty raced to the front upon turning for home, but still had to pull out all stops to defy Good Day, which followed her home and issued a strong challenge in the shadows of the post – with Major Milestone using the sprint lane and finishing third.
Dunn soon turned it into a double aboard red-hot favourite Hot Deal in the seventh race for the evening, the Join The VHRC Pace over 2240m.
Starting quickly and leading from gate four, Hot Deal gave Dunn an armchair ride – although he did have to be shaken up approaching the line to prevail by a half neck from local Noel Watson’s rank outsider Cobalt Blues, which had eased three wide on the home turn.
Prosecco Boy, which raced uncovered from the bell, finished third, with the race run in a mile rate of 1:58.3.
The other big individual achievement of the night came from reinswoman Michelle Phillips, who managed to secure a driving double of her own, piloting home the Tim Mortlock trained Double The Hunter in the fifth event, before securing the double half an hour later aboard the Clive Henderson trained Rocking Bugatti.
Double The Hunter returned to form over 1750m for Phillips, with the 3YO gelding sprinting away from the pole at the start to lead, before coasting to the post ahead of Majestic Sue, with Yankee Boot Flat finishing third.
Rocking Bugatti, a 6YO gelding, had an easy victory in the 2240m APG – Bringing The Sales & Races To Owners Pace.
Starting solo on the second line, Rocking Bugatti positioned itself beautifully in one/one after the lead changed several times, with the Douglas stable runners Roll With Ron (gate two) and Iambecauseofyou (gate six) taking turns in the lead after Holzhauer had led early on from gate four.
Easing out three wide on the final bend, Rocking Bugatti shot away upon turning for home for a comfortable win ahead of a brave Heaven Attracts, with Final Peace finishing third in a slick mile rate of 1:55.9.
Other winners on the night were the Mark Watson trained, Tayla French driven Nevs Dream in the opening race, while Julie and Daryl Douglas claimed the second race with Country Major saluting for its first ever win.
So She Said gave trainer-driver Gary Pekin victory in the fourth race, with Sosomaori for Michael Gadsden and Denbeigh Wade, and Isabella Princess for David and Brent Murphy, saluting in the final two races.
The next meeting at Swan Hill will be the Christmas meeting, to be held on Wednesday, December 14.
