Wednesday's Strathalbyn Races Report
- Thursday, 17 December 2009 14:16
John Hickmott and Dominic Tourneur were the first open their Christmas boxes when Pengana was the neck winner of the 1600 metre opening event. Starting the $1.60 favourite the Black Hawk sired Pengana, from Rory's Wag a Rory's Jester mare, was well placed and went on to defeat Setatrend $5 for local trainer Michael Nunan and rider Ryan Plumb.
The $21 chance Jayceess was a farther two and three quarter lengths away third for Jon O'Connor and apprentice Scott Westover.
Quoted at $10 at barrier rise the Taos sired seven year old gelding Musty Springs gave trainer John Hickmott his second success, winning the fourth race which was run over 2050 metres.
From the Mustin Lake mare Mustin Magic, Musty Springs was in touch with the leaders throughout the distance event of the afternoon and finished a long neck ahead of Bust The Bank $18 for mentor Kim Healy and Justin Potter. Another two and three quarter lengths away third was another Kim Healy runner Mystique Madam, also quoted at $18, with apprentice Lauren Stojakovic in the saddle.
Trainer Dennis O'Leary's first winner came when Adoptme Two won the 1350 metre third race by one length.
Starting the $1.60 punter's choice and having the services of Chad Lever the Staaraq four year gelding, out of the Snaadee mare Adopted, came from a mid field position to beat the David Hayes mentored Simon Price ridden Jooli Lad $5.50. A $5 chance, another David Hayes runner Zenton, piloted by Ryan Plumb, was a farther three and a half lengths away third.
Mentor Dennis O'Leary and rider Dominic Tourneur brought up their doubles when Akhamine was the three quarters of a length victor of the 1600 metre final event.
A $3.80 chance when the starter released the field the Akhadan mare Akhamine, from the Rubiton matron Make Mine Ruby, settled in fifth place and maintained that position before going on to record a win over the Daniel Clarken cared for Simon Price piloted Teairra $9. Start Praying $26 was a farther one and a half lengths away third for Ken M Knowles and apprentice Jordon Frew.
Teaming with husband Jeffrey Maund Karen Letts-Maund was the only local trainer to meet with success when My Uncle Vinny was the head winner of the fifth race which was contested over 1200 metres.
The result of the mating of the Irish bed stallion Carnegie from the French mare Perilla, who was fathered by another Irish bred stallion Mark Of Esteem, My Uncle Vinny was well placed and beat the The Princess $4.60 for mentor Brian Mueller and rider Jordon Frew, giving the southern track the quinella. A farther three quarters of a length away third was Brute Bernard $13 for Byron Cozamanis and Paul Gatt.
Apprentice Libby Hopwood added another notch to her impressive record so far this season when she steered the Peter Jolly prepared Fameson to a long neck win in the 1100 metre second race.
Being the $3 public elect the Blevic sired Fameson, from the Bellotto mare Our Fame, was well placed and beat Wandsworth $71 for mentor Bill Peake and jockey Adrian Patterson. A length away third was Quick Plan $3.30 for Mick Whittle and Matthew Neilson.
A start in the $30,000 1400 metre Class 5 Handicap (Final of the Star of Christmas Series) on the Parks track at Morphettville on Boxing Day was the reward earned by the half head win of Cherishing in the sixth race which was run over 1350 metres.
Prepared by John Hyam and having the services Troy Baker the Special Bond sired mare, from the Switch In Time matron Mama San, Cherishing came from mid field and defeated King Of The Sun $5.50 for local trainer Mick Whittle and rider Chad Lever.
Another three quarters of a length away third was the $4 favourite Miss Planchet for Paul Seater and Clare Lindop.