Ally Rogan for trainer-driver Dennis Picker was too strong when taking out a heat of the Alabar Breeders Challenge at Gold Crown Paceway, Bathurst.
THE Alabar Breeders Challenge heats for two-year-olds added significant interest to last Wednesday night’s meeting at the Gold Crown Paceway, Bathurst.
Of particular interest was the return to racing of the recent Gold Crown winner College Chapel, who was resuming after a seven-week break from the racetrack.
College Chapel’s return to racing saw the son of Mach Three resuming his racetrack rivalry with the Amanda Turnbull trained and driven Animal. In their short racing careers, both having raced on six occasions, College Chapel and Animal have come together three times now, with Animal this time holding the bragging rights, after finishing in the placings behind College Chapel in their previous contests.
However Animal, with the benefit of two recent runs under his belt, and with a more favourable barrier draw, was never going to get beat and cruised home to win by six metres in a mile rate of 1.56.5. College Chapel, sat parked throughout the race and never lost any admirers with his gallant second placing. No doubt, he will be improved by the run and both horses will figure prominently as the series rolls on.
Amanda Turnbull also took out the first division of the two year old colts and geldings heat, with her smart performer, Shoobee Doo.
Shoebee Doo clocked up win number five from only eight career starts, with a 14 metre victory over his nearest rival, Rainbow Comet, driven by Jake Davis.
On the back of a most recent win over stablemate Animal at Tabcorp Park Menangle, 11 days earlier, Shoobee Doo cruised away in a mile rate of 1.58.9.
Amanda is hopeful that Shoobee Doo is now the ready made racehorse, after breaking after the start in his heat of the Gold Crown.
In the fillies divisions of the Alabar Breeders Challenge, Write About Lexy for Bernie Hewitt and Ally Rogan for Dennis Picker were the two short priced favoured runners that didn’t let the punters down.
Write About Lexy, a daughter of Sportswriter, notched up her second career win, with a front running performance, in a mile rate of 2.01.8.
I’m sure, owner Lex Crosby is hopeful that Write About Lexy, can better the achievements of her older sisters Read About Lexy and I’m With Lexy during this years series. Both older siblings ran fantastic races finishing fifth and third in their respective finals in 2014 and 2016.
Ally Rogan chalked up win number four from start number seven in her half head victory over Sunshine Stride, driven by Robbie Morris.
Both fillies had a titanic struggle over the last 150 metres with Ally Rogan getting the judges verdict in a mile rate of 1.59.6.
Dennis Picker is confident he has the filly back on track after breaking in running in the Gold Tiara Final.
There will be significant interest into the future racing career of Ally Rogan, after the recent passing of one of her breeders, Ken Smith, who unfortunately was killed in a truck accident on the weekend.
On behalf of the Bathurst Harness Racing Club we extend our deepest sympathies to Ken’s wife Sue and their families at this time.
