Fagan Team Combine For a Treble
Wednesday
The Fagan team of Paul and Leanne combined for a great day at Gawler on Wednesday, with three winners between them on the card. Aston Jazz started the show with an excellent victory over the short trip. From box three, he jumped fairly but found himself in traffic and struggling to get clear air. As they hit the home turn, he lost all momentum as he went up the backside of a chaser in front of him, seemingly having no chance after that. However, he picked himself right up and powered through on the rail, before taking on from the leader and running away in 23.26 for a terrific win. Foul Play led all the way a few races later and ran a handy 23.26, before Aston Prince did similar from box seven, going all the way in 23.38. A great day for the Fagan team!
Kevin Bewley had another good day as well, with three winners of his own. Steel Harbour was first and was able to overcome a wide box in seven and a slow beginning to win over the 400m trip. After being led early, he had to work hard a few lengths off the leader to hold his spot. Up the back straight, he was starting to get through his gears, before pouncing in the home straight and getting past the kennel mate in 23.38 and landing a quinella for Kev. The consistent Finniss Blossom made it two for Kev when she proved too quick, leading all the way from box one in a slick 23.06. Nova Cascade completed the treble with a professional effort from box four, finding the early lead and proving too good in 23.43.
Lester Harris picked up a deserving winner in the form of Influencer, with the fawn dog producing a fantastic effort from box one. It was a handy field for a time graded race and when the boxes opened, Influencer was able to surprise a few and get to the lead, which he doesn’t do very often! From there it was a pretty comfortable watch for his followers, as he did things well and won comfortably in 23.03. Hopefully that win put a smile on Lester’s face!
Friday
Shifty And Shady (Fernando Bale X Lose Your Blues) had his first start on Friday for Chis Jaensch. He wasn’t given a great chance in the market, but as soon as the boxes opened he showed what he can do, flying out of box five to find an easy lead. The challengers came as they got to the home turn, but in the straight he was found again and fended them off, winning by a neck in solid 23.23. An excellent debut and if he maintains those box manners then he will be winning plenty more!
Juicy Que scored its first win since joining the care of Yvonne Maxwell. It was his fourth start for Yvonne and drew box one, which was certainly going to be a big aid, but he wasn’t given a chance in the market. After jumping well, he was challenged to his outside but did enough to hold the rail. It was a struggle for most of the race, but when he reached the home straight, he was finally afforded some clear air and booted away, winning in a tidy 22.96. That was a good win from the black dog and I am sure Yvonne will be hoping for some more low draws with him.
Spy Master has been in super consistent form recently and was rewarded with another victory on Friday. From box four in a competitive grade 5 race over the short trip, he came out well and was pushing towards an early lead, but due to some tight racing, he was squeezed back to midfield. He took a while to balance up and get going again but once he did he was able to capitalise on some fortune hitting the turn and rail through to the lead. He strolled away after that and won in 23.18. Spy Master will turn five years old on new year's day, so it's a fantastic effort by him and his trainer Brian Styles to still be racing so well.