Repechage’s of the Australasian Breeders Crown for Two Year Old Colts & Geldings (Woodlands Stud) and Fillies (Alabar) were held at Geelong in Victoria on Tuesday August 11, which saw NSW visitors prevail during the evening.
The Lagoon (Bathurst) trainer Steve Turnbull caused an upset in the first of the Repechage’s for Colts & Geldings when Rock N Roll Heaven/Panorama Lady colt Smithstars Lexus greeted the judge at Supertab odds of $26.00.
Driven by daughter Amanda, Smithstars Lexus starting solo on the second line came from last at the bell off a four wide trail on the back of runner-up Emiliana ahead of him approaching the final bend to score by 1.1 metres in a rate of 1-57.9, with Herehecomes using the sprint lane 4.8 metres away third after following the weakening pacemaker and favourite Christmas Jolt. Second elect Code Black finished fourth after racing in the open.
Repechage two went to Cobbity trainer Belinda McCarthy’s Rocknroll Hanover/Aston Villa colt Born To Rocknroll (Anthony Butt) in a rate of 2-01.7.
Settling three back in the running line after starting solo on the second row, Born To Rocknroll was sent forward to park outside the leader Lewis Lane with around 1400 metres to travel.
With Butt never concerned at any stage, Born To Rocknroll raced to the front on straightening to register a head victory over Soho Tribeca (three wide home turn) after following the winner and Professor Tom which trailed the pair.
The first of the Fillies Repechage’s saw youthful Cobbity trainer Daniel Neagoe combine with David Morris to greet the judge with Hot Shot Woman, a daughter of Rocknroll Hanover and Deadly Woman.
Leading from gate five, Hot Shot Woman ran out an easy 18 metre victor in 1-59.6 over Three Squared which shadowed her from outside the front line. Flowers held down third after following the winner.
Repechage two was taken out by the Emma Stewart (Smythers Creek) trained and Greg Sugars driven Whirily School in a rate of 2-02.1.
Angling from gate four to settle three back along the markers with Soho Madeleine inside her leading, Sugars eased Whirily School to lead up the outside division racing for the bell and the filly outstayed her rivals to register a strong 2.2 metre victory. Platinum Power finished third after a cosy trip on the back of the leader.
Amanda Turnbull snared a driving double on the night after piloting Mach Three/Flower Player filly Glenferrie Baby which she trains to score in the Devcon Properties 3-Y-0 Pace over 2100 metres.
Settling four back in the moving lane after starting from gate two on the second row, Glenferrie Baby raced three wide uncovered from the bell and despite appearing to be under extreme pressure on the final bend, rallied in the straight to outstay her rivals by a half neck in a punishing finish from first starter Illawong Bella along the sprint lane after following the weakening pacemaker Beaming. That Chill Devine which trailed the winner home was a half neck away in third place.
The mile rate 2-01.3.
Rockbank trainer/driver Allan McDonough was victorious with four year old Safari/Mystical Rainbow mare Mystical Quest in the Geelong Lawn Tennis Club 23 August Fundraiser Pace for C0 class.
Showing all the toughness of her sire, Mystical Quest raced without cover from gate three for the entire 2100 metre journey, greeting the judge with a head to spare from Pushinupdaisies (four wide home turn from last) and Nymeria (one/one) in a rate of 2-00.3.
Bolinda trainer Brent Lilley produced a nice Great Success/Lady Midnight colt by the name of Hedge Your Bet to land the Flying Brick Cider Co. 2-Y-0 Trotters Handicap over 2100 metres when making his race debut.
Driven by Anthony Butt, Hedge Your Bet stepped cleanly from barrier five only to race roughly shortly after allowing another first starter Last Legacy to assume control from barrier three.
Given time to balance, Hedge Your Bet faced the breeze from last approaching the bell and knuckled down in fine style to lead at the straight entrance and record an impressive 2.9 metre margin over Truscott Law which followed him home from 10 metres, with Last Legacy holding down third. The mile rate 2-10.8
Pearcedale trainer Simone Walker snared the quinella in the Harness Breeders Victoria Pace for C1 & C2 class (mares) over 2100 metres with Catch A Ruby defeating Sheila Blige in a rate of 2-02.4.
Driven by Chris Alford, Catch A Ruby a 4-Y-0 daughter of Riverboat King and Catch A Diamond possied three back along the markers from gate three, with the well supported Flying McPocket (gate two) leading.
Extricated to be four wide on the final bend, Catch A Ruby scored by 2.1 metres over Sheila Blige (five wide home turn from last). Samantha Sparkle came from five back the markers to finish third.
