The Cranbourne track has hosted many great racenights in recent years.
Bacchus Marsh trainer Dean King has his team going great guns at the present time and landed the Rapidvite Pace for C1 class over 2080 metres at Cranbourne on Tuesday March 4 with eight year old Denver Gift/Aegean Spring gelding Slippinalong.
Driven by Emma Hamblin who made the trip down from Ararat, Slippinalong was sent forward from gate four to park outside the leader Innocent Vance, before taking over mid-race.
Driven desperately on straightening, Slippinalong responded to register a half head victory in a rate of 2-00.2 over Innocent Vance along the sprint lane, with Hi Tech Fury third after racing in the open for the finalcircuit.
Dunnstown’s David Murphy is on a role at the moment and was successful with four year old entire Super Zeck in the Cranbourne Trainers Bonanza Trotters Mobile for T0 & T1 class over 2080 metres.
Going forward from gate five to park outside the pacemaker Framed And Hung which had crossed The Final Cut, the home bred son of Modern Art and Me Dolli Kit crossed to lead for the final circuit in accounting for Drop Of Paradise (three back the markers) and Tawonga South (three wide last lap from last) in a rate of 2-03.
Rockbank trainer Joe Vassallo combined with Chris Alford to snare the Ultra Signs Vicbred Pace for C0 class over 1609 metres with improving Union Guy/Alberts Belle five year old gelding Impressive Guy, breaking his maiden status at start number eleven.
Settling mid-field in the running line after being eased away from inside the second line, Impressive Guy was sent three wide to shadow the pacemaker Outer Join in the last lap.
In a two horse war coming to the home turn, Outer Join appeared to have the race in his keeping halfway up the running as he drew clear, however Impressive Guy rallied over the concluding stages to gain the day by a half neck in a rate of 1-57.9, with Isla third after trailing the leader.
Melton’s Beau Tindale didn’t help the quaddie takers cause after winning the second leg – the Alabar 3-Y-0 Pace over 2080 metres with Jet Laag/Lombo Silhouette gelding Soho Wonder at tote odds of $30.40.
Driven by Lisa Miles, Soho Wonder led throughout from gate two, fighting on like a caged lion to defeat Village Cruiser along the sprint lane after trailing, with Braeview Bomber a brave third after facing the open. The mile rate 2-01.5.
Veteran Meltonian Danny Mullan engaged the services of Long Forest based Alex Ashwood taking a concession to land the choicehotels.com.au Pace for C4 & C5 class over 2080 metres with Kiwi bred eight year old Artiscape/Eileen Monica gelding Artoc.
Given time to balance from gate six, Artoc raced by Danny, wife Anna and South Australlian Paul Nobes, was sent forward to park outside the speedy Pocket Legend inside him within a lap.
Looking to be labouring approaching the home turn, Artoc with Ashwood driving desperately gained his second wind to blouse Pocket Legend (first up since May last year) by a neck in 1-58.4. Keeper Of The Fire finished third after following the leader and using the sprint lane to no avail.
Kilmore owner/trainer Julie Mifsud was in the winners stall at Cranbourne when nine year old Jet Laag/Rock On Lombo gelding Rock On Tiger saluted the judge in the Seelite Windows & Doors Pace for C1 class over 2080 metres.
Using a concession for Bolinda’s Josh Duggan, Rock On Tiger making his first appearance since November and first for the stable was given every opportunity one/one from gate two, with Mondo Rocket inside him leading.
Taken three wide on the home turn, Rock On Tiger was another driven desperately over the concluding stages to register a last stride neck decision over Mondo Rocket, with Irrefutable coming from near last to finish third after being handy early. The mile rate 2-01.4.
Cranbourne trainer Michael Hughes based on course, has found his new home to be a profitable one in recent weeks and added another winner to the tally when Call Me Bond a gelded three year old son of Courage Under Fire and Life Of Gold snared The Red Shed Pace for C0 class over 2080 metres.
Driven by Nathan Jack, Call Me Bond bred and raced by Gary Rogers under the banner of Ulverstone, began swiftly from gate five, but was unable to head off Desert Safari (gate three) in the run to the first turn.
Applying plenty of pressure, Call Me Bond crossed to lead shortly after leaving another local McNiven outside him.
With the pair drawing clear prior to the home turn, McNiven appeared to be travelling better on straightening, however Call Me Bond in a thrilling finish, refused to give in and outstayed his rival to score by a head in 1-58.6 (last half mile 57.1 – quarter 29.5). Desert Safari held down third 16.8 metres away.
