January Winning Post

3rd January Bendigo: Peter Judd’s Benstud Standardbreds were victorious when Trixton-Justa Phoenix filly Justatrixta scored in the World’s Best Hoof Oil 3Y0 Vicbred Trotters Mobile over 2150 metres. With Josh Aiken in the sulky for father David, Justatrixta was given a sweet trip one/one from gate two for the first half of the race trailing Majestic Jewel as Floating Mountain (gate three) led. Moving to race in the open for the final circuit, Justatrixtra was too strong at the business end, defeating Sky Eagle by a neck which eased three wide on turning after trailing the leader who held down third 6.7 metres away. The mile rate 2-04.1.

20th January Tabcorp Park Melton: Steve Warren’s honest 5Y0 Majestic Son-Smilin Eyes entire Majestic Eyes raced and bred by himself and long time associate Ginger Gleeson snared the TAB Multiplier Trotters Mobile over 1720 metres. Majestic Eyes was given every chance from gate four settling three back the markers as Severe Storm led from the pole. Coming away from the inside along the back straight on the final occasion to trail both Gus Or Bust which had moved off the back of the leader being followed by Champagne Prince who made a mistake at the start, Majestic Eyes joined in quickly on turning to record a 7.1 metre margin in advance of Gus Or Bust, with Champagne Prince giving ground to be third 12.8 metres back. The mile rate 2-00.4.

21st January Ararat: Rob Merola and John Hawke were winners when beautifully bred Western Terror-Sewinyaface filly Sew What returned to the winners list in the Ami Narik 3Y0 Pace over 1790 metres.Trained and driven by Lance Justice, Sew What from outside the front line was trapped three wide running into the first turn as Kerryn Manning’s Bettor Romance began brilliantly to lead from gate four. Going forward, Justice was able to ease Sew What to the back of the leader to receive a sweet trail. Using the sprint lane, Sew What dashed clear over the concluding stages to score by 1.9 metres in a rate of 1-57.1 from Bettor Romance and Morrisons Gem who was 2.8 metres away in third place after racing three back along the pegs.

23rd Jan Maryborough: Sweet Lou-Artistic Dancer filly Sweet Louise bred and raced by John Dorrington under the banner of Dorro Nominees, scored in the 2190 metre Geelong Produce 3Y0 Pace. Driven by John Caldow, Sweet Louise was trapped wide from gate three having no option but to go back to the rear of the field as Ozzie Sunshine led from gate four. Sprinting with a wing on every foot three wide solo in the final circuit, Sweet Louise sustained a long run to register a 2.9 metre margin in advance of a death-seating Ash Park, with Ghanasuya 7.4 metres away in third place after trailing the weakening leader before using the sprint lane. The mile rate on a rain effected track 1-59.3.

25th Jan Tabcorp Park Melton: Kevin Riseley and partners were in the winners stall when ultra-consistent 7Y0 Monarchy-Whosinthenest gelding Temporale who qualified for the Inter Dominion Final in December scored in the DNR Logistics $50,000 (Group1) V.L. Dullard Cup over 2240 metres. Trained in Auckland by Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett, Temporale with Chris Alford in the sulky settled well back in the field from gate five on the second line after McLovin had crossed Red Hot Tooth leaving Massive Metro in the open, Sprinted brilliantly in the last lap, Temporale raced away on the final bend to register a 8 metre margin over Red Hot Tooth in 1-57.6 (last half 55.6 – 28.1). McLovin was third 2.8 metres away.

25th Jan Port Pirie SA: Bob Willis’ honest 5Y0 Shadow Play - Our Waltzing Mathilda mare Miss Victoria now trained and driven by Ryan Hryhorec, landed the Lauchie Mills Pace over 1609 metres in a mile rate of 1-57.4. Trapped wide from gate three as those inside her kicked up at the start, Miss Victoria worked forward to park in the open with a circuit to travel. Travelly boldly approaching the home turn, Miss Victoria gained the upper hand in the straight to record an easy 13.3 metre victory in advance of Liberty Tee Jay along the sprint lane from three back the markers, with Dougs Limousine a head away third after trailing the weakening pacemaker Royal Safari.

30th Jan Ballarat: Lance Justice’s Western Terror-Sewinyaface filly Sew What brought up two wins in succession for Rob Merola and John Hawke when an impressive victor of the BHRA Ladies Committee 3Y0 Vicbred Pace over 2200 metres. Starting from gate two on the second line, Justice eased Sew What to trail Cuzin Lyndal inside her who followed the poleline leader Monsieur Delacour. Coming away from the inside racing for the bell to possie on the back of Wilshire Boulevard in the breeze after Bonavista Boy appeared to choke down, Sew What travelled sweetly along the back straight before easing three wide approaching the final bend. Given full rein in the straight, Sew What raced clear to score by 2.8 metres from Lets Get Shorty from near last, with Cuzin Lyndal 1.7 metres away in third place after getting clear in plenty of time on turning. The mile rate 1-58.5.