Wednesday's Strathalbyn Races Report
- Thursday, 18 February 2010 13:45
It was a mixed bag of doubles for trainers and jockeys when local mentor Greg Lesnikowski, city based horse carer Richard Jolly and his apprentice Libby Hopwood along with senior rider Simon Price, all had two winners each at Strathalbyn on Wednesday.
Jolly and Hopwood started the run of doubles when Shady Grove $2.50 was the two length winner of race two which was contested over 1350 metres.
Coming from last and gradually improving her position the three year old Legion filly, from the Dolphin Street mare Coral Key, had a two length break over the Daniel Clarken prepared Adrian Patterson guided Ultramarine Blue, the $1.80 favourite. After running a first, a second and two thirds at Strathalbyn in recent times Notonmatchday $6 was another three and three quarters of a length away filling the minor placing for Ray Moore and apprentice Melanie Tyndall.
Shady Grove will be tilted towards an 1800 metre three year old special conditions race at Morphettville on Marsh 6 and further afield may be given a chance in the Group 1 $300,000 Schweppes Oaks of 2000 metres at Morphettville on March 20.
Sired by the Australian bred stallion Charge Forward from the Canny Lad mare Born A Star the Richard Jolly trained, stable apprentice Libby Hopwood ridden Deneb gave the pair the second leg of their double in the 1200 metre fourth race.
Starting at $6 Hopwood jumped the three year old, who was making his second race day appearance, cleanly away from barrier six before settling the gelding in fourth place. Deneb made his run in the straight going on to record a four and a quarter length win over the $2.90 punter’s choice, The Verge, for mentor Daniel Clarken and rider Dominic Tourneur. The $41 chance Jigsaw Girl was another long neck away third for co- trainers Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas and apprentice Tillie Neve.
Local horse preparer Greg Lesnikowski and rider Simon Price brought up the first leg of their respective doubles when Spinning Spanner was the one and a quarter length winner of race three which was run over 1600 metres.
The $3 favourite at barrier rise and fathered by the United States bred horse Spinning World from the Archway mare Summer Haven, Spinning Spanner settled in a better than mid field position and, maintaining a good rate throughout the event, went on to beat the Barry Dunn trained Amy Herrmann ridden Sandhill Lad $6.50 giving the Strathalbyn track the quinella.
After being the one time leader Light Belle $10 was a farther three quarters of a length away third for Jim Smith and Jeffrey Maund.
The three and a quarter length victory of the $5.50 chance Scary Smokovec gave trainer Greg Lesnikowski the second leg of his double in the 1100 metre final event.
From the Zabaleta mare Soliciteuse and sired by the United States bred sire Made Of Gold, the Paul Gatt ridden Scary Smokovec came from last to beat the Ricky Moore trained Dominic Tourneur ridden Imperial Rain $6. The $2.80 fancied one Shot Of Jest was another three quarters of a length away third for Ken Sweeney and Matthew Neilson.
Jockey Simon Price scored his second win when the Mark Kavanagh prepared Excellerant, the $3 favourite, was the two length winner of the 1100 metre seventh race.
An Exceed And Excel three year old gelding from the Hennessy mare For The Good Times, Excellerant came from a mid field position and beat the Greg Lesnikowski mentored Jeffery Maund mount Oriental Sling $7. A farther one and a quarter lengths away third was Murphy’s Cash $3.90 for David Balfour and Clare Lindop.
Strathalbyn trainer Trevor Day was first into action when Nicki’s Hope was the three and half length winner of the opening event which was run over 2050 metres.
Starting at $12 and ridden by Phillip Crich the five year old daughter of Nicklemine from the Damister mare Power’s Hope, Nicki’s Hope was well placed and beat the $1.70 public elect J’Ancy for trainer Paul Seater and jockey Paul Gatt.
The $41 chance Bell Ringer was a farther one and a quarter lengths away third for John Hickmott and Tillie Neve.
A $240,000 purchase at the Adelaide Magic Millions Sales of 2007 Choose to Dance, who has suffered multiple foot and leg problems and only started once before for sixth at Murray Bridge last Marsh, was the head winner of 1200 metre fifth race.
Being under the care of Lloyd Kennewell and guided to a head victory by Ryan Plumb the Choisir sired Choose To Dance, from the Amen Brother mare Shabet, came from a rearward position to beat the $1.35 favourite Marion Bay for mentor Mark Kavanagh who had Simon Price ride his charge.
Katherine Duffie and apprentice Lauren Stojakovic were associated with Chavelli $151 who was another long head away third.
Having won last year’s Strathalbyn Cup and having her third outing since a let up Rangeraja gave her owner Mrs Ivy Furst and the training partnership of Kevin and Heather Frew a long neck win in the sixth race which was run over 2050 metres.
Ridden by apprentice Jordon Frew and starting at $14 the Devaraja sired Rangeraja, from the Near Boy matron Grandime, was well to the fore throughout the race and has now won three races from seven starts at Strathalbyn.
Rangeraja beat the one time leader Tolderol Teaparty $4 for Greg Lesnikowski and Paul Gatt. Fast Eddie, the $3.80 punter’s fancy, was a half head away third for Dennis McMahon and Wayne Kerford.
The combination of trainer Liz Garrick and apprentice Lauren Stojakovic were well pleased with the neck win of the $7.50 chance Portrait Dane in race eight which was contested over 1600 metres.
From the Zoffany mare Perfect Portrait and sired by Dangerous, Portrait Dane came from last and powered home to beat the Robert Fries mentored Jeffrey Maund piloted My Silverado $5. Nothing Shall Pass $21 was another two and a quarter lengths away third for Peter Moody and apprentice Kate Dyson.
A $13 chance at barrier rise Happy As Larry gave trainer Shane Coombs and jockey Troy Baker a half length win in race nine which was run over 1350 metres.
A Happy Giggle five year old gelding from French Heroine, a Pharly mare, Happy As Larry held a mid field position before going on to beat the Gary Searle trained Adrian Patterson ridden Cuban Kid $8.
Let Go Johnny $14 was half length away third for John Hickmott and Tillie Neve.
