The Shepparton track has always been considered amongst the fairest in Victoria.
Local Bunbartha trainer John Newberry and son Matthew snared a double at their home track Shepparton on Thursday October 24, taking the Neatline Homes Pace for C4-5 class over 2190 metres with Classic Icon and the Equine After Care Pace for C1 class over 1690 metres with Hezfullarunning.
Classic Icon a seven-year-old gelded son of Falcons Icon and Sandras Soky starting from the pole was given a sweet passage on the back of the hot favourite Burra Sullivan (gate three) after retaining the front running going into the first turn.
Using the sprint lane, Classic Icon at TAB odds of $28.30 sailed clear in the shadows of the post to score by just over a metre, returning a mile rate of 2-00.8 in defeating Burra Sullivan who was no match at the finish. Gangster Boy was a game third 5.2 metres away after racing in the open.
Six-year-old Western Terror/Shezfullarunning gelding Hezfullarunning did exactly that in the final circuit after enjoying a cosy one/one trip from gate five.
Set alight at the bell, Hezfullarunning ($8.80) careered away on turning to register a 7-metre victory in 1-57.6 over Nevaeh and Mister Desirable who both ran on late from mid-field.
Nagambie mentor Chris Lang (Snr) combined with Chris Alford to land both trotting races on the program – Six-year-old Kadabra/Kyvalley Diva gelding Kyvalley Rap greeting the judge in the www.sheppartonhrc.com.au Trotters Handicap for T1 or better class over 2190 metres and fully American bred Donato Hanover/Armbro Amadeus four-year-old gelding Kyvalley Rancher the Central Tyre Service Trotters Handicap for T0 class over 2190 metre, both raced by staunch stable client Jim Connelly.
Kyvalley Rap coming from a 30-metre backmark positioned three back in the moving line after a swift beginning, moving to be one/one at the bell.
Taken wide on straightening, Kyvalley Rap surged to the wire 5.2 metres in advance of Wortherly along the sprint lane off the back of the pacemaker My Archie Way, with Doctor Sam (three back the markers) also using the sprint lane for third. The mile rate 2-05.8.
Kyvalley Rancher led virtually throughout from gate five in a mile rate of 2-07.6 to easily account for Framework Salute which ran home late after a slow beginning. Thumbs Up Jerry finished third after racing in the open from the bell.
Chris Alford is only five winners short of reaching his 5000th winner.
