The quest for glory in the rich Empire Stallions Vicbred Super Series continued at Bendigo last Saturday (May 12), when further heats were held for both Colts & Geldings and Fillies of the Three Year Old age bracket over 2150 metres..
Heat Three for Colts & Geldings was taken out by the in-form Metropolitan/Tuscan Sue gelding Metro Mike in a rate of 1-58.9.
Bred and raced by David & Desleigh Parish from Coghills Creek (Ballarat), Metro Mike trained at Lockwood South by Tony & Mary Dillon with regular reinsman Mark Hayes in the sulky, bided his time nearer to last than first after being eased away from inside the second line shortly after the start.
Moving forward three wide on the back of Eljulio in the last lap, Metro Mike sprinted swiftly to lead on the home turn and kick away on straightening.
Although getting tired as the winning post loomed, Metro Mike held on to score by a half head only from Kerryn Manning’s Night Affair from last, with Daylight Dan (one/one) a half neck away in third place.
The victory was a real family affair, as David Parish is the brother of Mark Hayes’ wife Sue.
Heat Four went the way of ever reliable Art Major/My Liberty Belle colt Philadalphia Man who has been racing all over the place of late.
Trained at Smythes Creek (Ballarat) by the combination of Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin, Philadelphia Man driven by Chris Alford led throughout from gate two in defeating another of the Kerryn Manning team Kickittochris which trailed using the sprint lane to be beaten 3 metres in 1-58.5, with Charlie Machsheen a further 3.8 metres back in third place after racing in the open.
Raced by a large syndicate of ten or more including staunch stable clients Kevin Lewis and Geoff Armstrong, Philadelphia Man has fronted the starter 26 times to date for 10 wins and six placings.
Heat Five for the Fillies saw Avenel trainer David Aiken’s Real Bonus, a daughter of Art Major & Jazz Opera successful in a rate of 1-59, much to the delight of part-owner Ian Carmichael and partners.
Driven by a very much in-form Nathan Jack, Real Bonus from gate two on the second line settled three back in the moving line, with the pole marker Light In Every Day leading.
Setting off three wide solo in the final circuit, Real Bonus outstayed her rivals to score by 4.6 metres from Dobop which followed her home, with Light In Every Day holding down third.
Bathurst Gold Tiara winner of last season Shake It Mama registered her 9th victory in 18 outings when successful in Heat Six, returning a mile rate of 1-59.3.
Bred and raced by Heathcote’s David Sheppard, trained by the Stewart/Tonkin team and driven by Chris Alford, Shake It Mama (Mach Three/Gold Sarn) was sent forward from outside the front line to lead and once there was rated to perfection by Alford, running out an easy 11.5 metre victor over the rank outsider Nats Survival along the sprint lane from three back the markers, with Rubeelee (three wide last lap) sustaining a long run to finish third.