Jacks are trumps at Swan Hill!
Brothers Russell and David Jack who grew up in the Riverina area of NSW each provided a winner at a compact six event card at Swan Hill trots last Wednesday. Russell taking the feature event of the evening – the $9,000 Keil Tiling 2019 Blue Pearl Classic for C1 class over 2240 metres with bold front runner Three Summers and David the Empire Stallions Vicbred Platinum Country Series H (third heat) over 1750 metres with Deeceeten.
Three Summers a 4Y0 Somebeachsomewhere-Summer Of Dreams gelding trained by Russell and driven by Bec Bartley led virtually throughout from gate two in the race restricted to the fairer sex after always travelling easily. Given full rein at the straight entrance, Three Summers has 2.4 metres to spare on the wire from Arden Voyager (Kate Gath) which raced exposed from gate four, with Mallee Reactor (Ellen Tormey) third a nose away after easing three wide from a one/one trip for the last lap on the final bend. The mile rate 1-59.1.
Talented 5Y0 Rocknroll Hanover-Lombo Pow Wow entire Deeceeten trained and driven by Euroa based David Jack scored in identical fashion, leading all of the way from gate two, defeating Barham hope Pirates Of Zanzibar (one/one) by 3 metres in 1-57.8, with First Prize 3.6 metres back in third place after racing without cover. It was Deeceeten’s third outing since going amiss after winning at Cobram in December 2016.
Andy and Kate Gath have become regulars at Swan Hill meetings in recent times and landed a double on the night – Kiwi import Miss Hartley (Bettors Delight-Motu RacyGirl) leading all of the way from gate two to snare the CTA & Beaumonts 3Y0 Pace over 1750 metres from John Morris’ Heir To Zanzibar (one/one at bell) and Gone And Forgotten which trailed the winner. The margins 7.8 by 7.9 metres in a mile rate of 1-54.2.
In-form stablemate Dikerry, a 6Y0 New Zealand bred gelded son of Mach Three and Elena Star was tough in taking the Team Mez Pace for C6 or better class over 2240 metres. Sitting outside local champ Itmademyday (gate two) from gate three, Dikerry was too strong over the concluding stages, accounting for Repeat After Me which followed him everywhere by a head in 1-57.4. Itmademyday held down third 4.3 metres back.
Trainer Amanda Turnbull who spends her time between Shepparton and Bathurst, was successful with 4Y0 Art Major-Im A Happy Girl gelding Augustus Jack in the 2240 metre Holts Mitsubishi Pace. Taking a concession for Brad Chisholm, Augustus Jack enjoyed a sweet passage three back along the markers from gate three as the hot favourite Queen Shenandoah led from the pole. Extricated three wide on the final bend, Augustus Jack ran home stylishly to blouse the leader right on the post by a half head in a rate of 2-00.8. Weeks End after receiving the run of the race from the pole trailing the leader was third 1.9 metres away.
The Gwen Palmer Kiel Pace for C0 & C1 class over 2240 metres saw Lockwood part-owner/trainer Grant Richardson victorious with Racene, a 4Y0 gelding by Village Jasper from Our Maid Marianne who was making his second race appearance. Slowly away from the pole, Racene (Glen Richardson) settled last on the marker line as Breaktherules assumed control from outside the front line after being trapped four wide at the start. Still a mile off the leaders in the last lap, Racene was able to follow Dynamic Ruler forward three wide approaching the home turn and after making the final bend very wide, finished full of running to register a half head margin over Gotta Take Care along the sprint lane after trailing the pacemaker. Dynamic Ruler was a head away third, with Night Safari which moved outside Breaktherules (5th) on the home turn a neck away fourth in a thrilling five horse finish. The mile rate 2-01.
** Swan Hill race again February 14.
