Clear skies and a light breeze greeted a small but certainly an enthusiastic crowd to the Young Paceway last Friday afternoon to witness six highly competitive races that included fast times and close finishes.
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The opening race of the day resulted in a first up win for the Dennis Day-trained Spell Binding ($20.50) driven by Todd Day.
Placed second at the bell behind Pismo Beach, the Sportswriter three year old filly recorded a three metre victory over Pismo Beach with the well supported Temora Reactor claiming third prize after being in the outside line.
The final quarters of 30.6s and 32.4s produced a winners mile rate of 2.02.9 for the 2100 metre event.
Race two produced a very short priced favourite in Renee Dale ($1.30) but unfortunately for the lightly raced filly, drawn in gate one was not the advantage trainer Gemma Rue had expected.
Getting away quickly, the veteran of only three starts found the run into the first turn not to her liking, breaking and losing valuable ground.
Locally bred mare Rosemary Shannon ($21.40) was able to take advantage of the situation and lead at the bell to record a good win over La Gesture and the favourite Renee Dale, who did make up many lengths in the final stages of the race, running on gamely to finish third.
Favourite backers finally had reason to smile when Giant Jackson ($1.70), driven by Jason Grimson proved far too strong for his opposition in leading at the bell to defeat The Restauranteur and the resuming Josh Powderly-trained Charlie Tango.
The win was the first for the three year old gelding since winning at Penrith three starts back.
With his number one performer Don’t Think Twice on a plane to America, this fellow could fill the void left by the locally owned champion.
Georges Plains couple Gemma and Matt Rue grabbed themselves a winner when Havana Moon ($4.20) landed some good bets in race four.
A winner now of two races, the five-year-old gelding by Santanna Blue Chip ran his final two quarters in 29.4s and 28.9s in defeating Shes Courageous and the locally trained Rocknroll Queen in a mile rating of 1:58.5 and a convincing margin of nine metres.
Possibly the most thrilling win of day occurred in race five when the Mark Fletcher trained Annie Matilda ($32.50) scored a narrow nose victory over leader Kamwood Izzy and Hey Porsha.
Driven by Young reinsman Michael Day Jr the Art Major seven-year-old arrived just in time to claim victory, the driver of the second horse, David Druitt convinced for one moment he in fact had lasted to win but that was not to be.
Young will race again on Thursday night, August 23.