On the pace with Len Baker
POPULAR Melton trainer David Manning was in the winners stall at Warragul last Monday, when ultra-consistent five-year-old Our Sir Vancelot/Dillon Daffodil mare Dillon Daphne registered a well-deserved victory in the Gippsland Media Centre Pace (third heat) for C1 class over 1765 metres in a rate of 2-01.4. Driven by Michael Bellman, Dillon Daphne settled four back in the running line from gate four with the well supported Zoomba leading from gate two. Moving forward in the final circuit, Dillon Daphne must have been five wide on the home turn, before motoring to the wire to score by a runaway 4.7 metre margin over Evil Trickster (one/one – three wide last lap) and Chick At The Bar along the sprint lane which followed the pacemaker.
LONG Forest duo Andy and Kate Gath snared the fifth heat of the Rapidvite Solutions Eastern Challenge for C3 and C4 class over 2205 metres with quality Real Desire/Robella four-year-old gelding Regal Knight. Sent forward from mid-field in the running line through the middle stages after starting from gate four, Regal Knight had little difficulty in settling outside the pole line pacemaker Mister Rufus. Applying the pressure in the last lap, Regal Knight drew clear on straightening to score well on the wire by 4.9 metres in a rate of 1-58.5 from Atomic Horizon along the sprint lane after trailing the leader, with Mister Rufus 1.7 metres away in third place.
It was Regal Knight’s eighth success in 27 outings.
Melton owner/breeder Charlie Chircop’s beautifully bred Village Jasper/The System four-year-old gelding The System Village broke his maiden status at start number nine when successful in the third heat of the Eureka Series for C0 class over 2100 metres at Geelong last Tuesday. Trained at Parwan by Jaime Madruga and driven by Brian Gath, The System Village coming off an eye catching second at Maryborough a week earlier was restrained from gate six to possie three back in the running line, with the pole marker Eyrehart the pacemaker. Easing three wide hitting the back straight to follow Kenshi which had never been on the track, The System Village was taken four wide approaching the home turn, before dashing away on straightening to score by 1.2 metres in advance of Our Fabiola (three back the markers – four wide trailing the winner home turn) and first starter Rogues Reward in a mile rate of 2-02.3.
LANCE Justice used the services of Terang concessional reinsman Tim McLean to capture the Next Meeting 27 March Pace for C2 class over 2100 metres at Geelong with much improved Kiwi-bred four-year-old P Forty Seven/Happy Bromac gelding Hoagy Bromac, leading virtually throughout from gate two in defeating a game Blazeaway Macray which raced in the open and Our Horizon in an all Melton area trifecta. The mile rate 1-58.3.
The pair repeated the dose at Echuca on Friday, with Hoagy Bromac taking the Dr John O’Rielly Memorial Pace for C2 and C3 class over 1755 metres in identical style, defeating Whatacracker (three back the markers) and Waynesfirst which trailed the winner. The mile rate 1-59.8.
ANDY and Kate Gath were winners at Geelong when three-year-old It Is I/Shot Of Sugar colt Quadentate was a strong victor of the Next Trials Pace for C1 class over 1609 metres in a slick 1-57.6. Sent forward from gate five, Quadentate was unable to head off Sporty Mac (gate two), spending the majority of the race without cover. Taking care of the leader prior to the home turn, Quadentate showed great fighting qualities to hold off the favourite Hayes And Kydd (five wide home turn) to score by a half head margin in a thrilling finish, with Dam Lucky third after trailing the leader and moving into the one/one spot on the final bend.
BREEDERS Crown victor of last season Glenferrie Shuffle returned to the winners circle at Maryborough on Wednesday, taking out the Hanson Construction Material three-year-old Pace over 2190 metres. Trained at Parwan by Craig Demmler and driven by partner Jodi Quinlan, Glenferrie Shuffle (Art Major/Our Hot Shoe Shuffle) a prohibitive $1.10 favourite, led throughout from gate three in defeating Four Zoe and Here And Now by 10.2 metres in a rate of 1-59.2.
MEETINGS for the week: Wednesday – Maryborough/Geelong, Thursday – Hamilton/Ballarat, Saturday – Kilmore, Sunday – Warragul (Cup), Monday – Charlton, Tuesday – Nyah @ Swan Hill.
Horses to follow: Thunder Fee, Hayden, Moror Smoker, The Unionist, Ourcrowninn, Sonofpaco, Rogues Reward.
