STABLE WINS SIXTH RACE OF SEASON
The Overport Lodge team notched their sixth win of the new term with their only starter at Addington on Tuesday, September 13.
Regan Todd reined second favourite Anita Patron to a comfortable win in the 1 win Alabar (NZ) Ltd Handicap Pace for his first win of the 2011-12 season and his 52nd career win.
After being on the move before the start, resulting in her being sent to the outside, Anita Patron made a ‘flyer” to lead early in the 2000m dash, before trailing Scherger Jack at the 1400m.
The Badlands Hanover mare was relegated three back when Cullen Speed took the front with just over a lap to run, with Regan finding a run one off in a packing field on the home turn.
They finished the race off the right way with a strong finish to wear down Southern Sally and Scherger Jack.
However, stewards concluded her behaviour before the start as “unacceptable” and declared her unruly for future stand starts.
Anita Patron, who paced the 2000m from a stand in 2:36.7, was recording her second win in five starts since being purchased out of Graeme Ward’s Ashburton stable by racecaller Mark McNamara, along with John Henderson, Chris Menzies, Hamish Sinclair and Geoff Ward.
STEVEN GOLDING OPENS ACCOUNT
Former Overport Lodge junior Steven Golding scored his first driving win behind Morty, for Templeton employers Peter and Leonie Jones, on the same Tuesday programme.
Golding transferred a few months ago from Overport Lodge.
After earlier finishing three times second from 42 drives, Stevie delivered with a well-rated drive in Tuesday’s claimer.
He gave Morty a good run handy on the outer and they were too slick for front-running Happy Chappy, who despite co-trainer David Butt’s best efforts to hold on, they had no answer to his junior rival, who had more horsepower.
Now 10, Morty ran clear to win by two and a half lengths _ his first win since June, 2008 _ and the ninth win of his career from 99 starts.