EASTBURN MARA LANDS NOSE FORBURY WIN
An inch-perfect drive from Overport Lodge junior driver Kimberly Butt landed Eastburn Mara his second Forbury Park win on Thursday, August 13.
Kimberly, now in her third season of racedriving, reined 20 winners last term.
Eastburn Mara, furthered his consistent record at Forbury on Thursday.
This was her first victory of the new term, with her career tally now reaching 38.
Kimberly found the perfect one-one sit for Eastburn Mara and saved him for a home stretch dash.
Angling wide turning for home, Eastburn Mara lifted when asked inside the final 100m to grab a nose win over front-running favourite Cerato (Blair Orange).
Former stablemate Rock Till You Drop, who trailed, held third at the end of the mobile 2200m in 2:48.5, the leaders running their last 800m in 58s and final 400m in 28.9s.
Eastburn Mara, third-up in a new campaign, has found Forbury a happy hunting ground for trainer Mark Jones, and East Takaka (Nelson) breeder “Skeet” Barnett.
The 5YO Lis Mara-Eastburn Gee gelding has now recorded both his wins at Forbury, while he’s also been twice second there in seven appearances.
Mr Barnett enjoyed halcyon days as owner when formerly racing Eastburn Mara’s relative, former top trotter Eastburn Grant, winner of the 1997 Rowe Cup and 12 other races for $212,995.
Eastburn Mara is from a six-win Badlands Hanover pacing daughter of another six-win pacing mare in Biddy BB (1:59), who left the good winners Handoverbid (six), Straven (five, 1:54.4, US) and Be Artful (three NZ wins, 1:56.5, Aust).
Eastburn Gee’s grand-dam Madam Gee (by Johnny Gee) was the unraced dam of Eastburn Grant and speedy pacing mare Lady Eastburn (1:55.8, US).