By ‘Pegs’
DISTRICT trainers were successful in half the program at Yea Picnics on Saturday.
Kilmore trainer Annie Goble saddled up $2 favourite Femme Americain for a last-to-first victory in the Allied Security Trophy Race (3) Handicap over 1600 metres.
Giving Kilmore apprentice Tyson Barton his first winner from his first ride back after a track accident in November, the Americain five-year-old mare defeated Cheeky Prince, $9.50, by one and a half lengths with Rokurokubi, $8.50, a further three quarters of a length away third.
“It was great to have Tyson back on her. He knows her that well as she’s had no luck at the professionals,” Goble said.
“Track rider Marcus Tobin has been a great help to me while Tyson was out injured.”
Goble said the mare ‘licked out her bin’ after the win and that she would back her up in an Open Class event at Healesville on Saturday.
Purchased by Goble as a yearling, Femme Americain has now won three races with four minor placings from her 29 starts.
Barton went close to winning again in his second ride back later on the card when going down by a head aboard the Jody Thompson-trained Quantrell, a $4 equal favourite, to the George Osborne-trained Eastern Pegasus, the other favourite.
The Kyneton-trained eight-year-old son of Floral Pegasus has been a model of consistency since competing at the picnics with apprentice Maddison Gretton aboard.
Owned by Osborne, Eastern Pegasus has now won eight races with 10 minor placings from his 54 starts.
Dwyer’s run continues
Seymour trainer Don Dwyer’s good run continued in the last race at Yea when he saddled up At Large, paying $8, for a comfortable win in the Sunday February 20 Yea St Pats Cup Trophy Race (1) Handicap over 1200 metres.
Ridden by Jack Virgona, the Wanted six-year-old mare defeated Sebring Star, $21, by three quarters of a length with the favourite Got You Covered a half-head away third.
At Large has now won five races with eight second placings from her 33 starts.
