Trebles for Aiken and Alford

22 April 2015 | Len Baker
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Josh and David Aiken.

Josh and David Aiken.

Avenel based Josh Aiken shared the honours at the Wangaratta HRC meeting held at Shepparton on Tuesday with Chris Alford, each driving three winners.

Three year old Bettors Delight/Dazed And Confused filly Glory Daze raced by the Stokie Racing Group and partners found the going much easier after contesting a heat of the Victoria Oaks at Tabcorp Park Melton on April 10 and was successful in the Ovens Ford Wangaratta Pace for C0 class over 2190 metres.

Starting from an awkward inside second line draw, Glory Daze was quickly away from the markers to be well back in the moving line, before being sent forward three wide to park outside the pacemaker Ok Why Me at the bell.

Surging clear in the final circuit, Glory Daze defied all challengers to score by 5.3 metres in a rate of 2-01.3 over Blisstar off a three wide trail from near last at the bell, with Hooper Road (one/one at bell)  a game third.

Improving four year old Jeremes Jet/Rebekah gelding Calcavado snared the McGregor Machinery Wangaratta Pace for C2 class over 1690 metres and in doing so, chalked up a hat-trick of wins.

Given a sweet one/one trip from gate four with Last Issue taking over from his stablemate Ultimate Sheldon, Calcavado after switching down to the sprint lane on turning, finished best to blouse Ultimate Sheldon in the last stride, with Last Issue holding down third. The mile rate 1-56.1.

Josh then picked up a late catch drive for Mernda trainer Ian Dornauf aboard the heavily supported Grinfromeartoear/Modern Life four year old gelding Royal Capone in the Australian Machinery Wholesalers Wangaratta Pace for C1 class over 2190 metres and proceeded to lead throughout from gate two, scoring easily by 4.3 metres in advance of The Pix which did plenty of work in the run from the extreme draw. Trillion Lombo always handy finished third. The mile rate 2-00.4.

Chris Alford and the Drouin training combination of Gary and Debbie Quinlan scored a double with quality Art Major/Top Tempo filly Queen Of Pop  taking the J & T Joinery Wangaratta 3-Y-0 Pace over 1690 metres and equally classy Bettors Delight/Aston Villa filly Yankee Showgirl the Shepparton RSL 3-Y-0 Pace over the same journey.

Queen Of Pop led all of the way from gate three to account for Lombo Newsy Scoop (three back the markers) by 9.9 metres and a death-seating Ears No Trouble in 1-57.9. 

Yankee Showgirl also led throughout from gate four, just lasting by a nose from a sprint laning Twoforsixty (three back the markers) and Give Me Fifty which trailed the winner. The mile rate 1-57.6.

Chris Alford was also successful aboard the Heath Redwood locally trained Showgun Thomas in the Sydney Hotel Wangaratta 2-Y-0 Vicbred Pace over 1690 metres in a mile rate of 1-59.6.

Settling near last from gate four, the beautifully bred gelded son of Bettors Delight and Forest Charm bred and raced by Staffordshire Park finished best down the centre of the track to gain the day in advance of first starters Rocknroll Shadow (one/three) and Roll With It from the tail of the field.

Highly promising four year old Bacardi Lindy/Strapon mare Barefoot Sally brought up her 6th victory in 22 outings to date by winning the Wangaratta Vine Hotel Trotters Handicap for T1 or better class over 2190 metres with Anthony Butt in the sulky.

Stepping safely from barrier three, Barefoot Sally led for the majority of the journey to easily take care of Kains Boy which trailed and the 30 metre backmarker Just Call Me Earl which raced in the open. The mile rate a pedestrian 2-06.2.

Yarrawonga trainer Shane Gilligan and son Tom have been having a ball of late (especially at Shepparton) and added another winner to their tally when four year old Mach Three/Gail Denvers gelding My Mach Scooter led throughout from gate two in the Porter Plant Hire Wangaratta Pace forC3 & C4 class over 2190 metres.

Although pressured by the well backed Big Spook in the last lap, My Mach Scooter wouldn’t shirk the issue and defied all challengers in defeating Destined To Take along the sprint lane after following and Copper Coast off a three wide trail at the bell in a mile rate of 1-57.7.

It was My Mach Scooter’s 6th success in 28 race appearances.

 

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