December Winning Post
In what was a relatively quiet time for club members, the highlight was Kevin Riseley’s Auckland Inter Dominion victory with Ultimate Sniper on Saturday December 14. A four year old entire by Bettors Delight from Reality Check raced in partnership with many stable clients of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen’s All Stars Team, Ultimate Sniper driven by Nat went all through the series undefeated (Heat 1), (Heat 2), (Heat 3). Starting from gate five, Ultimate Sniper was given time to balance mid-field in the running line before going forward to park outside Barry Purdon’s A G’s White Socks (gate 7) which had taken over from stablemate Mark Shard (gate 6) after crossing another stablemate On The Cards (gate 4) .
There were no further moves until the bell when Chase Auckland went forward three wide from four back being trailed by Cruze Bromac, Thefixer and Triple Eight from the rear.
Cruising up to A G’s White Socks on turning, Ultimate Sniper showed great staying prowess to prevail by a neck from Mark Shard along the sprint lane, with Thefixer flashing home late for third a nose away a half neck in advance of Cruze Bromac who was slightly disappointing and A G’s White Socks. Running the journey in 3-14.7, Ultimate Sniper returned a mile rate of 1-56 (last half mile 55.2 – quarter 27.9).
Kevin’s trotter Temporale also captured two heats of the Inter Dominion Trotters Series before finishing unplaced in the final behind Winterfell.
6th December TP Melton: John and Christine Yeomans’ smart Always A Virgin-Gone Walkabout 4Y0 gelding Longnwindingroad was successful in taking the $10,000 Damien J Summers Architect Pace Final over 1720 metres in a mile rate of 1-56.8. Taking a concession for James Herbertson, Longnwindingroad led throughout from the pole and was never extended, scoring by 4.6 metres from Diamond Grace (one/one) and old timer Endorsement who was so game after racing exposed, finishing a half neck away.
8th December Gunbower: Merv Butterworth’s ex-Kiwi gelding Rupert Of Lincoln snared the $14,500 Gunbower Family Hotel Gunbower Pacing Cup over 2630 metres. Trained and driven by Kerryn Manning, Rupert Of Lincoln a 4Y0 son of Lincoln Royal and Crush despite racing wide for the last half of the trip outside Mick Stanley’s American Zest, gained the upper hand on turning to record an excellent 1.7 metre victory over the pacemaker, with Brackenreid (three back the markers)9.7 metres away in third place. The mile rate 1-57.9.
9th December TP Melton: Kevin Riseley’s home bred The Best Madrik-Right Interest filly Right Moves trained by Patrick Ryan and driven by Chris Alford landed the 1st Heat of the Aldebaran Park Vicbred Home Grown Class for Fillies over 1720 metres. Restrained at the start from gate four, Right Moved once balanced was allowed to stride forward and park outside the leader Aldebaran Stevie (gate six). Giving plenty in the straight, Right Moves defied a challenge from Naked Ambition (one/one), reaching the judge by 1.6 metres, with Aldebaran Stevie holding down third 7.5 metres back. The mile rate 2-01.1.
9th December TP Melton: Paul Rowse and partners received an early Christmas present when 6Y0 Rocknroll Hanover-Cultured Lombo gelding Small Town first up since September was victorious in the HRTC Bendigo Concessional Drivers Pace over 2240 metres. Driven by Mitchell Barker, Small Town (gate five) was able to lead and was never headed, scoring by 1.1 metres in advance of Major Exclusive (one/one) in a rate of 1-57.5. Corporal Bill was 20.7 metres away in third place after trailing the winner.
13th December Bendigo: Fred Crews and partners shared in a winner when 4Y0 Mach Three- Aleppo Heiress entire Fourbigmen a prohibitive $1.20 favourite trained by Emma Steward and Clayton Tonkin had an effortless victory in the 2150 metre Accredited Distributers Pty Ltd Pace. Driven by Chris Alford, Fourbigmen led throughout from the pole, scoring by 3.6 metres from Lets Went (one/two) and Villareal which used the sprint lane from three back the markers to be third 2.2 metres back. The mile rate 1-58.3.
18th December Shepparton: Kevin Riseley’s Somebeachsomewhere-Maid For You Lombo filly Starsbythebeach trained by Patrick Ryan snared the Saddleworld Shepparton 3Y0 Pace over 2190 metres. Driven by Chris Alford, Starsbythebeach (gate five) settled three back the markers before being sent forward to race outside the leader Wheres Wood Wood racing for the bell. Proving far superior to her rivals, Starsbythebeach raced clear in the straight to record a 2.8 metre margin over Forever Yin (one/two), with Ma Katie 32.8 metres away in third place after following the runner up. The mile rate 1-57.9.
26th December Ballarat: Fourbigmen registered his second success for the month with an easy victory in the 2200 metre Mega Jumps Pace. Again driven by Chris Alford, Fourbigmen had little difficulty in striding to the front from gate two on the second line with a circuit to travel, before cruising to a 16 metre margin in advance of Mach Hu which battled on strongly after racing in the open from the bell. Huli Nien (one/two) was third 5.8 metres away. The mile rate 1-56.3.
27th December Mildura: Ian Kitchin’s 4Y0 Shadow Play-Schonbrunn gelding Hector Macray trained at Myrniong by Jess Tubbs and Greg Sugars chalked up his 4th success in 22 outings when taking the Tankard Dental Pace over 1790 metres. Driven by Greg, Hector Macray was given an easy time three back along the markers after starting from inside the second line as Stylish Grin was driven with aggression by Wayne Hill to cross Springfield Shadow (gate three) and lead from outside the front line. The speed increased at the bell with the favourite Russian Agent dropping out sharply allowing Hector Macray a clear passage in the last lap and able to come away from the inside at any stage. Easing three wide on the final bend as Springfield Shadow came off the back of the leader, Hector Macray finished best to prevail by 1.8 metres over Springfield Shadow returning a mile rate of 1-58.3. Bella Cullen was third 3.3 metres away after following the winner throughout.