Beaconsfield trainer Brent “Buckets” Parish celebrated his 50th training win when former Victorian pacer Colby Art ($6.50) scored in the Chartley Estate Stakes (1680m) in Launceston on Friday night.
The seven-year-old gelded son of Betterthancheddar settled in the one-one from his second-row draw before driver Rohan Hillier produced the pacer into clear racing room out three-wide from the 500m to race away late to score by 5.6m over Alberio ($8) and Lalibela ($31) in a mile rate of 1:58.2s.
“You put those good drivers on, they end up in those good spots.
“He drew two on the second line, and it always looked like he was going to get a good run-through. There was a bit of speed on, which suited him better than his start the week before. He doesn’t like it when they go slow as he gets a bit keen, and he is also a bit one-paced,” said trainer Brent Parish post-race.
Parish brought the pacer from Victoria, and the gelding is yet to miss a cheque in five Tasmanian starts.
“He has earned a cheque in each start, and that’s what I look for, a horse that can pay their way.
“I saw him on the trading ring for sale, and I was umming and ahhing whether to buy him as I was thinking about getting out of the game. You get to the point of whether you would buy another one or just get out. So I bit the bullet and bought him. I looked at a few of his runs, and he was never far away. I thought he was worth paying for what we paid for him,” Parish said.
“I don’t know if he will go away from a stand. I think he will as he seems pretty quiet, so Christmas time there will be a few races for him,” the owner-trainer added.
The win ended a run of outs for the hobby trainer who often has a small team in work.
Victorian duo Conor Crook and Jordan Chibnall combined for a double, scoring with Ultimaction ($2.35) and Strawberry Bling ($7).
Michael Laugher also prepared a double with Crack The Vault ($15) and Royal Appointment ($1.55 fav).
Crack The Vault was driven by Kayleb Williams, who completed a driving double later in the night on Ce Pe Three ($10).
Spacewriter ($4) continued his good form, winning the final race of the night.
