Johnstone, Turner enjoy big weeks at Gawler
Wednesday
On a pleasant afternoon at Gawler, we had twelve handy races with trainer Kim Johnstone enjoying a winning double for the afternoon, which continued a good month for her kennel.
Harmonist broke through for her maiden victory to start the afternoon, showing some race craft to win from box five over the 400m trip. She was a bit slow to leave the boxes and appeared to be in some trouble as they went into the first turn, but with some jamming in front, she was able to work around the field and zoom to the lead and was never in danger, going on to win by four lengths.
The talented Perpetual later completed the double when she made light work of box seven from the 400m start. She came out quickly and glided to an early lead and was always going to be hard to catch. It was easy work in front for her, as she won in a slick 22.94.
Don Gordon only has a very small team of chasers, but was able to pick up a training double for the afternoon. Stack The Pack was the first as he won his maiden after jumping from box eight over the short 400m trip, he came out well and handled the wide draw. Down the back he powered to the lead and was looking really good out in front. Despite going a bit wide on the home turn, he was far too good and won in a tidy 23.37.
Lektra Asha completed the double later on, when she dealt with a wide draw with box seven on the corner start. She wasn’t the quickest to begin, but with some early room, she was able to power through to second as they went down the back straight. Things weren't looking likely as they went around the home turn, with Lektra Asha still a few lengths off the leader, however in the home straight she really started to launch before powering over the top to win in a quick 22.97.
Friday
A quality afternoon of racing at Gawler awaited on Friday and punters were not let down, with some good races run on the 12-race program.
The afternoon belonged to Don Turner, who picked up three winners for the meeting, which continued the terrific form of his kennel. First up was Excite who made the perfect start to his career, with a great debut victory. Stepping out of box two over the 400m trip, he jumped well but was outpaced early and was in some trouble, however he was able to get clear running down the back. Around the home turn, he pounced on the lead and stormed to the front, winning strongly in 23.10 and giving every impression that he will enjoy 500m racing.
Know I’m One then won strongly from box one over the short trip, despite leaving the boxes poorly. He used the inside draw perfectly to power through to the lead down the back and hit the front, before winning in 23.11.
The super promising Who Knows Darren then completed the trio, with a best of the day win over the 400m distance. From box five, he jumped quickly and worked his way to the lead, with the race over from that point. He travelled wonderfully in front, spacing the others before winning in a flying 22.57.
Elegant Ritzy landed a confidence boosting victory in an excellent display over the 531m distance. After taking a tumble last start at Angle Park, she returned back to Gawler where she had put in some eye-catching performances in recent starts. From box three, she was able to do something that she rarely does, which is lead! With the terrific beginning, she held her spot on the rail and set a good tempo in front. After setting up a handy lead down the back, she never looked in danger and won in a sharp 30.99.