In The Winners Circle - with Len Baker

 

FEBRUARY 6  -  YARRA VALLEY

Kiwi bred Mach Three/Elshabiba (Sokys Atom) filly Machabiba resumed with a win in the Yarra Valley Members 3-Y-0 Pace over 1650 metres at Yarra Valley, chalking up her 3rd success in four outings.

Trained at Lara by Dean Braun and driven by Chris Alford, Machabiba first up since August wasn’t pushed out from gate two, with Ruby Slippers (gate four) flying away to lead.

Once balanced Alford immediately pressed forward to assume control, allowing Machabiba to bowl along at her leisure. Kicking clear at the straight entrance, Machabiba held a margin to the wire in accounting for the fast finishing Thisiswhoiam (one/two – three wide home turn) by 1.8 metres in a rate of 1-58, with Ruby Slippers third.

 

FEBRUARY 7  -  ARARAT

Western Australia trainer Barry Ainsworth landed the Harness Breeders (Vic) Pace for C1 & C2 class (mares) over 1790 metres with Too Funky, a 8-Y-0 daughter of J C’s Suprimo and Navajo Storm (Resonator) raced by the Ainsworth family who’s most recent success was at Albany back in January 2011.

Driven by son Ashley, Too Funky at Supertab odds of $19.60 led throughout from the pole, defying all challengers to score by a nose in a tricky finish over The Simple Life (one/one – three wide home turn) and a death-seating Rosenlea. The mile rate 2-01.8.

 

FEBRUARY 8  -  MARYBOROUGH

Kyneton trainer/driver Barry Turner has a handy type in 4-Y-0 Pacific Fella/Printers Gold (Northern Lights) gelding Juan Amigo who has shown something in each of his six race appearances prior to breaking his maiden status in the Maryborough & District Conveyancing Pace for R0 class over 2190 metres.

Trapped wide from gate five before parking outside the pacemaker Hez Mighty (gate three) shortly after the start and again being left in the open when Chris Alford continued to press forward out wide with the former Sydneysider Tullies Return (gate six), Juan Amigo spent the entire race without cover.

Showing plenty of tenacity on straightening, Juan Amigo wore down Tullies Return which raced roughly approaching the home turn to score by 3.5 metres in a rate of 2-03.4, with Stands Alone (three wide last lap) third.

 

FEBRUARY 8  -  BALLARAT

Rockbank trainer Joe Pace combined with brother Darren to land the 3rd Heat of the VHRSC Provincial Cup for C1 class over 2200 metres with smart Kiwi bred Dream Away/Final Verdict (Sands A Flyin) mare Dream Verdict.

First up since August, Dream Verdict led throughout from the pole to score nicely in a rate of 2-00 even from Bout Time (one/one – three wide home turn) and a death-seating Highview Ebony, chalking up her 6th success in 26 outings.

 

FEBRUARY 9  -  TABCORP PARK MELTON

Bonny 5-Y-0 Village Jasper/Shiftys Revival (Whats Next) mare Revivalist returned to the winners list in the Herald Sun Pace for R2 t0 R4 class over 2240 metres, much to the delight of John Dorrington & family.

Trained by Robbie O’Connell and driven by Scott Dyer, Revivalist was trapped three wide from gate four, pressing forward to assume control from Clancy Rose entering the back straight on the first occasion.

Given an easy time, Revivalist kicked clear on straightening, but only just lasted to gain the day by a head in 2-00.4 from the fast finishing Armbro Expo from last, with the favourite Classical Musician third after trailing up with a double three wide trail in the last lap.

 

FEBRUARY 9  -  SHEPPARTON

Kialla trainer Dave Farrar’s exciting Mach Three/Silkari Star (Iraklis) 4-Y-0 gelding Attackamach had nothing more than “a stroll in the park” to land the Carolyn Boyd Big 50 – VHRSC Provincial Cup (4th heat) for C1 class over 2190 metres.

With regular reinsman Nathan Jack in the sulky, Attackamach led throughout from gate three to win in a breeze over the dead-heaters Chess Timer which trailed and Life Savings (three back the markers) in a rate of 2-00.

 

FEBRUARY 10  -  ST ARNAUD@CHARLTON

Dick and Raeleene Howarth’s very smart 4–Y-0 Jet Laag/Whata Western (Whats Next)  gelding Airzone made it two from two this time in, when successful in the Gold Pace for C3 & C4 class over 1609 metres.

Restrained from gate four to settle near last with the pole marker Superstar Xpress leading, Air Zone moved forward three wide solo at the bell and despite looking to be under pressure approaching the home turn with The Red Opal travelling strongly inside him, rallied on straightening to score narrowly in a rate of 1-58 from The Red Opal and Our Mick Ison (four wide on the home turn) after following the winner home.

 

FEBRUARY 10  -  BENDIGO@TABCORP PARK

Wallan duo Ruth & Chris Shinn were surprise winners when Bettors Delight/Atlantique filly Alina scored a shock victory in the $7,000 Warehouse Sales Gold Bracelet over 2240 metres, paying Supertab odds of $51.80.

Bred by Ruth and mother Dot Evans, Alina from gate six enjoyed a cosy trip three back in the moving line, with the red-hot favourite La Machane racing outside the second elect Beauty Secret.

Taken wide on turning, Alina rushed home at 100 miles an hour to blowse La Machane in the shadows of the post, returning a mile rate of 1-58.9, with Beauty Secret third.

 

 

*********** NOTE : Column suspended as I will be in Perth for the Inters over the next two weeks.