Apollos Gift returns a winner after long spell

05 February 2015 | Lan Baker
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Bunbartha (Goulburn Valley) part-owner/trainer John Newberry was responsible for a marvellous training feat at Bendigo trots on Wednesday, producing lightly raced Wagon Apollo/Petite Morley eight-year-old gelding Apollos Gift to land the CV Batteries Trotters Mobile for T1 & T2 class over 2150 metres when having his first outing since November 2012.

Taking a concession for son Matt, Apollos Gift was trapped three wide out of gate six, before going forward to park outside the polemark pacemaker Savannah Jay Jay (gate two) which had moved around Faster Than Cleo on the first turn.

Crossing the leader at the bell, Apollos Gift coasted to the wire 2.7 metres in advance of Savannah Jay Jay along the sprint lane, with Columbias Deejay 12.4 metres away in third place after being left in the open for the final circuit. The mile rate 2:02.5.

Balliang owner/trainer Mick Armstrong would have been over the moon when Kiwi bred nine year old Falcon Seelster/Sheza Logan gelding Starlight Logan scored in the Winning View Room Pacers Handicap for C1 or better class over 2150 metres in a rate of 2-02.3.

Driven by Chris Alford, Starlight Logan began with his usual flair from barrier four to pounce on the lead and was never headed.

Although under extreme pressure on the final bend, Starlight Logan kept on giving in the straight to stall off all challengers in defeating Grins Rendition off a three wide trail last lap from mid-field and Miss Ruthless along the sprint lane after following the winner.

Shelbourne’s Larry Eastman who has Menin Gate one of the top chances in Saturday night’s Victoria Derby is on a role at present, chalking up a stable double with Ponder/Classical Girl filly Ponder Girl taking the Great Ocean Road Real Estate Pace for C0 class over 2150 metres and Four Starzzz Shark/Alta Calypso  four year old mare Milly Perez the Trackside Open February 12th Pace for C3 & C4 class over 1650 metres, both driven by Chris Alford.

Ponder Girl was sent forward from gate five on the second line to lead and was never in danger, accounting for Milady Denver and Bad Boy Hughie in a rate of    2-00.1, while Milly Perez led throughout from the pole to score from Nevaeh which trailed from inside the second line and Blue Seelster (one/three), returning a mile rate of 1-57.7.

Recently relocated Ararat trainer Marnie Bibby captured the Hygain 3-Y-0 Pace over 1650 metres with Wotchawaitingfor, a Santanna Blue Chip/Talk To Me gelding making his race debut.

One of four winners for Alford on the night, Wotchwaitingfor starting outside the front row was sent forward to sli outside another first starter Perspective (gate two) with a circuit to travel.

Showing tons of tenacity over the concluding stages, Wotchawaitingfor had a neck to spare on the wire over Itz Sportz Torque (five wide home turn from last), with Combined Interest third. The mile rate 1-59.2.

Hopetoun Park trainer Ross Sugars a recipient of the Caduceus Club Of Victoria “Living Legend Award” the night before, snared the Amadee Park Trotters Mobile for T0 class over 2150 metres with four year old Lawman Anders Belle mare Indi Pepperell in a rate of 2-02.9.

Driven by son Greg, Indi Pepperell raced in partnership by one time S-A racecaller Jamie Braidwood, raced in the open from gate four, outstaying her rivals to record a 4.8 metre victory over Kyvalley Vice (one/three – three wide last lap) and No Trumps No Glory from last in a rate of 2-02.9.

Indi Pepperell found the company much easier after competing in the rich Victorian Trotting Championships.

Other winners on the program were : Classic Icon (Falcon Seelster/Sandra’s Soky) for the Newberry’s in the Yorkshire Park Claiming Pace over 2150 metres and Chumlee (Somebeachsomewhere/Armbro Sharon) for Amanda Turnbull in the Hip Pocket Workwear Kennedy Street 3-Y-0 Pace over 2150 metres.

 

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