Leading driver Mat Rue had a memorable night at the Young Paceway, driving three winners including a momentous 100th as a driver.
The meeting had other memorable moments, one of which was a welcome return to the winner’s circle for veteran trainer-driver Neville Condon. “Nifty Neville” has not had an odds-on favourite for quite a while. He had two runners in the race, both coming off the second line and both maiden performers.
Racing opened with a comprehensive five metre win for the Bernie Hewitt trained four year old mare Paltrow ($26.80) driven to perfection by Scott Hewitt.
Well placed mid-race in her fourth start from a spell, she circled the field to post a 29.7 last quarter to defeat pacemaker It Takes Courage ($5.40) and the more fancied Boundtobemad ($3.30). Mile rate for the 2100 metre journey was a respectable 2:01.9.
Race 2 saw Bathurst trainer-driver John Vautin drive the perfect race with Playful Fella ($6.20) posting an 11 and three-quarter metre win over Chinghi ($24.80) with Im Captain Morgan ($9.30) third. The mile rating of 2:00.8 was a result of the experienced driver able to dictate a solid pace throughout the 2100 metre event.
Seven year old Major Kiwi ($4) was sent out a $3,000 claimer in Race 3, scoring a two metre win over Jumping Jack Jimmy ($4.90) and Canberra visitor Perfect Trouble ($17.60). Major Kiwi has won 16 races from 134 starts and his future looks bright following a successful claim.
Bathurst duo Josh and Mitch Turnbull combined well in race four when Native Caesar ($5.90) came from sixth at the bell to defeat favourite Rob The Bank ($2.80) by a head. Early leader Harrys Delight ($5.80) for Bruce Harpley hung on for a close third. The 2:01.0 mile rating and a 29.5 last quarter made it one of the more exciting finishes.
Mat Rue opened his account with Kapow Shannon ($6.60), making it back-to-back wins for trainer Peter Bullock who does a great job with his team. Real Intentions ($4.80) chased the leader, but found him too strong with Cullectomatic ($20.90) finishing third.
Steve Turnbull stepped out Dillon ($1.50) in race six to lead from the start and set a comfortable early pace before coming home in 29.3 and 29.9 to defeat Sand Blaster ($5.40) and Lorenzo Shannon ($26.70). The winner has the makings of a promising racehorse.
There was probably no more excited patron than Eugowra stalwart Lex Crosby when Mat Rue drove his 100th winner behind two year old Pretty Hot ($2.20) in Race 7.Sitting behind the leader Ballachulish ($10.30), who finished second, an opening came with less than 50 metres to travel. Rue speared through on the inside to record a two metre win with McKinley ($5.00) finishing third.
The excitement continued when Rue drove his third winner behind the Nev Condon trained Percynjack (3.10). Rue came from fourth at the bell with a 29.0 last quarter to defeat Alwaysuptomischief ($29.50) and Killara Titan ($3.20). He greeted the judge for the first time in 16 starts for owner Brian Lynch.
Young races again on Friday, July 29, with nominations closing on July 26, at 9:30 am. Local driver Jason Grimson has joined the Jarrod Alchin stables and his progress will be followed with interest by his supporters.
