Stamenkovic’s Terrific Treble Up The Straight
Stamenkovic’s Terrific Treble Up The Straight
Tuesday Meeting (Straight track)
Bosko Stamenkovic had a good day at our weekly straight track meeting on Tuesday, collecting a trio of very impressive winners.
The very talented So Be It was the first with the brindle dog returning from a six month spell. Over the 300m trip, he couldn't have won any more impressively, leading all the way in a sizzling 16.61 which was clearly the best of the day, on a meeting where we didn’t see too many quick times. He also ran a 4.30 first split which is simply flying.
Footrot Fender was the next as he lined up for his second start from a long spell, having won first up impressively at Angle Park. Again from the 300m distance, he had box five and when the boxes opened, he came out quite quickly and went straight to the lead. Midrace, he had a bit of a challenge on his hands, but responded well and kicked clear late, eventually winning nicely in 16.84.
Magical Friend rounded out the afternoon, handling a wide draw for the short trip, with a repeat of what we had seen from Bosko’s other two winners. It was a fast start from the black dog and he fired straight to the lead, before setting up a margin midrace. He was never in any danger and won in 16.90. That’s 6 wins from his 8 career starts, so he has certainly started his career in good fashion!
Steve Coates rolled up to the meeting with just two chasers and went home with a winner, thanks to his experienced campaigner Manipulation. Lining up for what was incredibly his seventh box 6 start in his last nine races, he came out well from the 350m boxes and was up in the firing line early. It was a terrific charge early and he took over the lead around the halfway mark. With 150m to go, he had a clear margin and was looking good out in front and from there he was never in trouble, sailing home for a relatively comfortable two length win in 19.37, making it a worthwhile trip down for Steve!
Sunday Meeting
On a pleasant evening for our nine-race card, it was Tanya Bialek who got things going, with her chaser Mish Chanel (Flying Ricciardo x Gold Burner) breaking through for her maiden victory at start six. After getting a start off the reserve bench and lining up from box eight, she came out the boxes nicely enough and landed in a clear second, settling a few lengths off the leader. Heading into the turn, she was starting to work through her gears and quickly levelled up alongside the leader at the top of the straight. Towards the finish line, it was a terrific tussle, but in the end the fawn bitch proved a shade too good and scored in 22.90, which would have done her confidence a world of good!
Bob Fletcher was another trainer that found himself in the winners list, with Bridge The Gap continuing his strong start to his career and winning a grade 6 over the 395m trip. Starting favourite from box four, he was in a bit of bother early as he had a little bump coming out of the boxes and found himself in an awkward third early. Some race craft saw him stay up the track and of bother, but heading into the turn, he had to check off heels and lost a couple of lengths, leaving him with plenty to do. Things seemed unlikely at the top of the straight, but he set his sights out on the lead and began to power along through on the rail. He was making good ground and well and truly capitalised on an ounce of fortune out in front, storming to the lead and running away to win in 22.92. That’s five career starts for him now and he is yet to miss a placing and has won two starts, so he’s on the right path!