On the pace with Len Baker
Mt Cottrell trainer Bill Galea made a return to the racetrack in style at Kilmore on Tuesday 21 May, when smart Art Major/Galleons Bud colt Major Calypso blitzed his rivals in the Momentum Pace for C1 class over 1690 metres.
Driven by Nathan Jack, Major Calypso began with a wing on every foot from outside the front row to lead running into the first turn, and once there had the race in his keeping a long way from home.
Kicking clear at the straight entrance, Major Calypso scored untouched by 7.1 metres in a rate of 1-59 over Manny Tiavon which trailed, with Yes Jerry third after following the pair.
It was Major Calypso’s fifth victory in 28 outings.
Long Forest duo Andy and Kate Gath were victorious with six-year-old Village Jasper/Salisbury Downs gelding Sarum Knight in the Ballarat Surgical Clinic Claiming Pace over 2200 metres at Bray Raceway Ballarat on Wednesday, making it two wins in succession.
Commencing swiftly from gate four, Sarum Knight led virtually throughout in defeating Lota Vision which trailed by a half head only in a rate of 1-59.6, with Washies Chance third after moving to race in the open at the bell.
Melton pair Ross and Greg Sugars were also winners at Ballarat, when quality four-year-old Bettors Delight/Machane mare La Machane greeted the judge in the Robert Benoit Tennis Pace for C5 and C6 class over 2200 metres.
Restrained to the rear from outside the front row, La Machane, despite making the final bend four wide, rattled home to defeat a death-seating Exciteusinthecity by a head in a rate of 1-57.3, with Now Shezaterror (three back the markers) third.
Thursday’s Geelong meeting was a good one for the Melton area, providing three winners on the program.
Craig Demmler and Jodi Quinlan started the ball rolling when Majestic Son/Cyclone Vance gelding Glenferrie Typhoon led throughout from the pole to land the Next Trials June 24 3-Y-0 Trotters Mobile over 2100 metres.
Given an easy time from the pole, Glenferrie Typhoon had plenty in reserve at the finish to score by 1.6 metres from the hot favourite The Boss Man which trailed, easing off his back on turning, with Invasive third after following the pair. The mile rate 2-02.4.
Stablemate Glenferrie College did similar in The Andrew Richards Pace for C1 class over 2100 metres to give the combination a double.
Leading out from the pole, Glenferrie College a three-year-old McArdle/Glenferrie Miss colt was joined at the bell by Rubys Bad Boy, with the pair striding together for the final circuit.
Looking to be in serious trouble on straightening when Rubys Bad Boy appeared to have him covered, Glenferrie College rallied strongly over the concluding stages to gain a nose victory in 2-00.8, with Kiwi Rage third after using the sprint lane off the back of the winner.
On what was a great day for Demmler, he jumped in the cart to drive the Richard Nugent (Lara) trained Jet Laag/Rock On Lombo eight-year-old gelding Rock On Tiger to victory in the Saturday Morning Trials From July Pace for C1 class over 1609 metres.
Given the run of the race from the pole following the pacemaker Evil Trickster (gate three), Rock On Tiger was eased away from the inside on straightening and finished best to register a half head victory in 1-57.1 over the leader and Easton All Action which moved to face the breeze at the bell.
Andy and Kate Gath were also winners at Geelong when Precious Bunny/Kotare Carmen four-year-old Precious Dragon snared the Can You Brave The Bucking Bull Pace for C0 class (mares) over 2100 metres in a rate of 2-01.8.
Safely retaining the front running from the pole, Precious Dragon was never in any trouble, coasting to a 6.8 metre victory in advance of Galeforce Grin which raced outside her from the bell, with Rocket Trip (one/three) running home late for third.
Meetings for the week : Wednesday – Charlton/Geelong, Thursday – Hamilton/Shepparton, Friday – Melton, Saturday – Ballarat, Sunday – Cranbourne, Monday – Maryborough, Tuesday – Mildura.
Horses to follow: In Jet Spirit, The Numbers Man, Rocket Trip, Exciteusinthecity, Happy Hombre, Fill Up, Magic Moment Lombo, Not Another De Jay, Kankkunen.
