Local driver Josh Willick took the honors with a 5 bag haul at Bankstown Paceway last Friday night with NSW's only race meeting since the Equine Influenza shutdown.
Willick, a former Harold Park Premiership winning reinsman, went within an ace of driving every winner on the 6 race card, going down in the last event when placed third on Valerian Pass.
Willick started the night off with his first winner Primo Cullen, narrowly prevailing over favourite King Courage with Go Good Buddy claiming third placing.
His next winner was the promising 4yo Live Or Die gelding Franco Tinman, who raced without cover for the last 1000m in proving too strong for Our Midnight Oil and Golden Tarenz.
Another short priced favourite was to follow when Willick took Move To The Beat straight to the front and held off a determined bid from Drummossie with Its Da Time a handy third.
In the night's closest finish Holmes Hanover gelding Holmes JB just got up in the last stride to tip out Just Radish for trainer Adam Baverstock, with veteran Basic Blue running his usual honest race for third placing.
Trainer Martin Herbert landed a double when Bathurst Gold Chalice and Guineas winner Franco Nester was too good in the R4 and better Pace, rating a healthy 2.02.8 for the 1740m for the night’s fastest time.
Willick had the 4yo Bettors Delight gelding handily placed throughout and the public elect was not extended in downing Maria Kathleen and Flirt Alert.
All eyes were on Willick when he went into the last with a chance to create history as the first driver to win an entire card at the Paceway but Glen Lobb had other ideas with ex Kiwi Advancealot, which burst out of the barrier to lead from post to post, downing Laughing Franco and Willick's hope, Valerian Pass.
Horses to follow : Bay Royal, noted making a strong run for 4th; Our Winsome Hanover, only beaten 8m after making a break at the start and losing 30m; and King Courage, a brave 2nd after working early in the race and will only improve with the run.
