David Aiken, pictured here on Karlsruhe, had a night he will never forget at Shepparton on Wednesday.
Wednesday September 11 will forever remain in the memory bank of young Avenel concessional reinsman Joshua Aiken, as he guided his first winner when fully American bred four-year-old Yankee Boy/Racy Remarque entire Chevals Racer scored in the Wangaratta Stock Foods And Farm Supplies Trotters Mobile for T0 class over 2190 metres at the Wangaratta HRC fixture held at Shepparton, with proud parents David and Colleen cheering him home.
Trained by David, Chevals Racer began with a wing on every foot from gate five to lead and rated to perfection, ran out an easy 14.2-metre victory in a mile rate of 2-03.1 from the Chris Lang trained pair of Did I Imagine That (three wide last lap from last) and Kyvalley Rancher (three back the markers).
It was Josh’s third registered race drive as he had finished third aboard Wolfpack behind Itcan Happen in the Warby Street Butchery Pace for C0 class over 1690 metres after leading and fourth to stablemate Quick Jet with Lets Go Rabbitoh in the Wangaratta Members Pace for C0 class over 2190 metres – the first two races on the program.
It was a great night for the stable, as apart from Quick Jet leading throughout with Chris Alford in the sulky, David was successful with four-year-old Lis Mara/Triple Franco entire Our Warwick Lad in the Naish Security Shredding Pace for C2 class over 2190 metres.
Starting solo on the second line, Our Warwick Lad settled three back in the moving line, before making an early move to assume control mid-race.
Travelling boldly throughout, Our Warwick Lad coasted to the wire 10.7 metres in advance of Cream Of The Team which led out from gate five before taking a trail on the winner, with the red-hot favourite Sword And Pistol third after racing in the open after following the winner forward. The mile rate 2-00.3.
Kialla trainer Peter Hornsby scored a well-deserved victory with ultra-consistent mare The Pearl Of Paris in the Avian Park Trotters Handicap for T1 or better class over 2190 metres.
Driven by Shepparton local Stephen (Boyo) Boyington, The Pearl Of Paris stepped safely from the 10-metre mark and was immediately sent forward to stride past Red Hot Chilli which had crossed Silver Memory shortly after the start.
Always looking the winner, The Pearl Of Paris defeated Just Call Me Earl out wide off a three wide trail last lap by 1.9 metres, with the outsider Miss Kai Ching using the sprint lane from near last to finish third. The mile rate 2-06.3.
On what was a good night for the Goulburn Valley, revitalised eight-year-old Washington Vc/New York Glow gelding Fergus Mactavish trained at Nathalia by Noel Tyndall and driven by Donna Castles taking a concession, snared the J & T Joinery Wangaratta Pace for C1 class over 2190 metres and Ardmona trainer Doc Wilson’s very much in-form six-year-old D M Dilinger/Nora Barnacle also driven by partner Donna Castles, brought up a hat-trick of wins by taking the Wangaratta Stock Foods & Farm Supplies Pace for C3-4 class over the same journey.