The connections of Yanaha Navajo after her win. Photo by Photography by Jodie Hallows
It was a good day at the office for Michael Brennan, with the Blythewood trainer walking away with a winning treble from five runners at Narrogin on Friday night, with all three winners driven by stable reinsman Michael Grantham.
With the five runners engaged, Brennan’s runners finished no further back than fifth with Miss Limelight NZ finishing third in race six, and Told You Twice finishing fifth in the last on the card.
The first of the Brennan runners to fly the flag for the in-form stable was the $1.80 favourite Freyja, who led all the way from barrier one in race three, to win with ease in 2:01:4 over the 2242m. Bringing up her third career victory, the three-year-old Betterthancheddar USA filly recorded her second win from nine starts in WA since making the move late last year.
Favourite punters continued to be rewarded with Cowboys N Bandits NZ continuing his winning form. Making it three in a row and two from two since arriving in WA just months ago, the handy three-year-old gave owners Walmsley Developments an owning double on the night. The $1.05 favourite won by a lengthy 15.6m in 2:00:2 for Brennan and Grantham, after leading all the way from barrier two in race four.
It was three in a row for the team, with The Code Breaker taking out the fifth on the card from the 70m handicap. Winning in an impressive 2:02:8 over the 2636m staying journey, the four-year-old gelding owned by Walmsley Developments, made it two in row in just four days, coming off a last start win at Pinjarra last Monday.
Cody Wallrodt put an end to the reign of Brennan and Grantham in race six, with Allwood Glow making it two from two this time in. Returning last week after a lengthy spell, the seven-year-old appears to be on the up, going on to win by 2.6m in 2:03:7 after sitting outside the leader throughout in the 2242m trip.
Kim Young and Madeleine Young took out the first with two-year-old Never Forget Adda saluting at just her first start in a race. Bred by the late Harry Capararo and owned by his estate, the youngster is by the locally stood, now late Rich And Spoilt.
Aiden De Campo and Mark Johnson joined forces in the second on the card with Mega Mach, with the three-year-old going one better this week to get the win for owner and breeder Vincent Vincuillo. It’s been a long time between drinks for the son of Mach three CA, breaking through for his first victory since December 2020, with both career wins being at the Narrogin track. In a mile rate of 2:01:2, Mega Mach settled in the one-one position and with 300m to go, Johnson pulled the gelding three-wide to win by 4.4m.
The last race on the card injected some value in to the main quaddie, with Yanaha Navajo saluting at $21 odds and ending a five-month spell from the winners’ circle. Trained by Ken Davies and driven by Shane Butterworth, the five-year-old mare was purchased by Robyn King from Alabar Bloodstock as a youngster and has gone on for two wins and seven placings in 32 starts, taking her earnings to $15,942 for her connections.
“I really have to give all the credit to my daughter Alana, she does all the work with Stumpy (Yanaha Navajo), as well as a great drive by Shane Butterworth, the win was a surprise but with the good draw it wasn’t completely unexpected.” Said Davies.
