Chris Alford drove a winning double at Maryborough, both winners for trainer Larry Eastman.
Astute Shelbourne trainer Larry Eastman scored a winning double at Maryborough on Thursday with Ponder/Classical Girl filly Ponder Girl and bonny four-year-old Four Starzzz Shark/Alta Calypso mare Milly Perez, both driven by Hall of Famer Chris Alford.
Ponder Girl was suited by the tempo of the race with the leader Kimama being given no peace by Done Dreamin in the early stages.
Commencing a forward move from near last hitting the back straight on the final occasion, Ponder Girl gradually made ground to race clear on turning, defeating a game Kimama by 9.7 metres in a mile rate of 1:58.4, with Starwyn Jasper (three back the markers) third.
Milly Perez, coming off a winless Queensland campaign during August, was afforded the lead by her stablemate Waterslide shortly after the start before scoring a 6.3-metre win over Dam Lucky, which raced in the open, and Fergus MacTavish off a three-wide trail last lap in a rate of 1:57.3.
Great Western trainer Peter Manning has former New Zealander Lady Mackendon going great guns at present, chalking up her fourth victory since crossing the Tasman to land the World’s Best Hoof Oil Trotters Handicap for T2 or better class over 2190 metres.
Driven by daughter Kerryn, Lady Mackendon (Pegasus Spur/Stimulus), despite racing in the open from 10 metres, was much too strong at the business end of proceedings for the most consistent Posimistic, which followed her for most of the way, with Cheval Racer third off a three wide trail last lap on the back of Gluteus Major third. The mile rate was 2:05.4.
Kerryn combined with husband Grant Canpbell aboard five-year-old Bettors Delight/Itz Got The Giggles gelding Itz Dreamin Jonesy to greet the judge in the second heat of the Country Clubs Championship for C6 or better class over 2190 metres, leading throughout from the pole to return a mile rate of 2:00.3 in accounting for My Bella Starr, which raced outside him from the bell by a head, with Mister Livan third after going forward from midfield at the halfway mark to park in the open, before gaining cover at the expense of My Bella Starr.
Melton based co-trainers Maree Caldow and husband John brought up three wins in succession with former Kiwi filly Amarula by taking out the Seelite Windows & Doors 3YO Trotters Mobile over 2190 metres.
Driven by John, Amarula, a daughter of Bacardi Lindy and Valley Of The Moon, raced by Tony Conte, was three back along the markers, with the roughie Shiftywall leading from gate two before being crossed by Aimforthemoon.
Easing into the open for the final circuit, Amarula raced to a slender lead on turning, proving too strong over the concluding stages for Aimforthemoon, who wouldn’t give in without a fight, the margin 1.6 metres, with Kyvalley Boomerang third after following the pacemaker and easing wide on turning. The mile rate was 2:03.8.
Shepparton duo David Moran (trainer) and partner Laura Crossland (driver) snared the Aldebaran Trotters Mobile for T0 & T1 class over 2190 metres at Maryborough with Bacardi Lindy/Vicki Vale four-year-old mare Lindy Vale in a rate of 2:03.
Showing plenty of speed from outside the front line to lead, Lindy Vale was untroubled to score by 1.5 metres from Savannah Jay Jay, which trailed, and Coimadai Lodge, which followed the pair.
Hamilton trainer David Lewis combined with John Caldow to land the McPhersons Pace for C1 class over 2190 metres with talented American Ideal/Atomic Fusion 4YO entire The Fat Man.
Despite sitting in the open from gate four outside Purple Village, The Fat Man was always travelling and scored by 2.4 metres in advance of Elsu Prince off a three-wide trail last lap and Miss Dilly in a mile rate of 1:59.7.
Veteran Bendigo reinsman Brian Gath was in the winners stall when four-year-old Safari/Hotgossip gelding Rumour Monger greeted the judge in the Maryborough Heart Of The Goldfields Pace for C0 class over 1690 metres.
Given a lovely trip from gate two following the pacemaker Regal Abbie (gate three), Rumour Monger came away from the inside in the last lap before racing to the front prior to the home turn.
Going strongly to the wire, Rumour Monger broke his maiden staus at start No.12 by defeating Gunbalunya (one/one) and Our Leo from mid-field in a rate of 1:58.7.
