Threatening skies and the forecast of late afternoon thunderstorms failed to deter a larger than expected crowd from attending the eight race program at the Young Paceway on Friday afternoon.
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The 787.2 metre track was again prepared in tip top condition with some fast times expected throughout the day.
Regular visitor, Bathurst trainer Peter Bullock again showed his liking for the track with two of the six starters being supplied by the knowledgeable mentor in race one.
Blackmagic Shannon starting from barrier one was sent out favourite ($2.70) and was handed the role as pacemaker by Jessica Prior for the 2100 meter event and maintained that position for most of the race.
With Elegant Heaven ($16.30) presented with the trail behind the leader, stablemate to Blackmagic Shannon, Shazam Shannon ($14.10) sat back in fourth at the bell in the six horse field.
The run home resulted in Shazam Shannon catching the leader on the line with a narrow neck wining margin over Elegant Heaven who was given every chance by up and coming local reinsman Jason Grimson.
The mile rate of 2:03.4 and a final quarter of 30.8 with the pacemaker finishing third.
Race two rewarded Yanco trainer Shane Hillier for making the long trip to the cherry capital with a convincing win with Ugo Stanotte ($3.90) driven by Andrew Pitt.
Owned by local car wash proprietor Mark Crutcher, the four-year-old Always A Virgin gelding came from sixth at the bell to arrive just in time to defeat Red Hot Jerry ($3.10) and Jackleberry ($4.60), the judge declaring a half head winning margin and a mile rate of 1:58.9 for the 1720 metre event.
A protest in race three lodged by the third placegetter that was upheld resulted in placings being reversed following a stewards enquiry.
First over the line Rainbow Fighter was relegated to third with Usle ($12.50) promoted to the winners podium while Kenandi Illusion ($8.50) was awarded second.
The close margins of half neck by half head was reflective of the tight finish with all three drivers pushing their horses right out on the line and a final quarter of 29.4 and a mile rate of 2:03.1.
One of the more convincing wins of the day came from the Shaun Snudden-trained Royal Shootout ($5.60) driven by Corey Bell in race four.
Being sent to the lead from barrier one, the five-year-old gelding made it two wins in successive race for the New Zealand sire Elsu.
The locally-trained Mossdale Jimmy ($4.40) for Jason Grimson ran home well after being fifth at the bell with Rogue Raider ($8.60) for Ray Walker tracking the leader home.
Two final quarters of 29.8 and 28.7 resulted in the winner posting a comfortable 18 metre win.
Unfortunately race five was marred by a fall at the 300 metre mark involving three runners, Handbrakerobin (Daniel Rowell), Studleigh Robin (Cindy Bourke) and Modern Lisa (Trevor Sutherland).
Fortunately no serious injuries were reported, Cindy Bourke taken to hospital for observation while both other drivers returned to the stable area unattended.
The eventual winner Abercrombie Lisa ($50.20) was able to lead over the 1720 metre journey, driver Monique Parsons setting the pace throughout and in turn posting a 2:01.3 mile rate in defeating Mercy Mercy ($7.20) and Baked In The City ($4.90) for Trevor White.
Abercrombie Lisa resumed at Canberra last Monday since being sent to the spelling paddock in June and ran unplaced behind Francisco De Gore and was certainly improved by that run, her win being her first since winning at Parkes in August 2014.
After opening favourite and drifting to one of the rank outsiders, the Gooloogong-trained Lombos Assets ($17.20) started quickly from gate six to lead the field for the 2100 metre South West Slopes Credit Union Pace, race six.
Driven by Anthony Beath, the son of the great Lombo Pocket Watch repeated the performance that saw him win at Parkes back in May by leading over the 2040 metre event.
Placegetters Conrod Kenze ($35.50) and Mean Courage ($4.60) certainly put value into the trifecta with a $1061.90 result for some lucky investors.
Race seven was the Bedwells Feed Barn Star Trek heat, the Wade Judd trained and Driven Jay Peez Knight ($3.40) securing a start in the $12,000 final with a last stride win over race leader Kyalla Dave ($5.60) and Four Jesters ($20.70) one of two starters for local trainer David Micallef.
Jay Peez Knight has had 63 life time starts, the Modern Art seven-year-old now being the winner of nine races, his first since winning at Goulburn in January this year.
The final race of the afternoon resulted in a close nose decision by the judge to Spanish Lustre ($4.10), a winner here on October 16 who defeated Itcan Happen ($5.50) and the fast finishing Miss Ponder ($5.30) driven by Jason Grimson.
Serene Major set the pace early and looked a definite chance turning for home but with the last two quarters of 29.3 and 28.8 coupled with a 2:01.1 mile rate, the $35.40 chance will have to wait another day.
Young will race again on Friday night, November 27 with the popular Cherry Festival Cup and the David Hodges Memorial being two of the feature races on the program.
