By ‘Pegs’
IN-FORM Kyneton trainer Mick Sell saddled up the consistent Lovin’ Laughs, at $12 odds, for a nice win at Sandown Hillside on Wednesday.
Giving Sell his third winner from his past four runners, the well-named five-year-old gelded son of Foreplay and Caribbea (Happy Giggle) was a narrow but impressive winner of the $50,000 Ladbrokes Fast Withdrawals Handicap over 1400 metres.
Positioned on the pace by Jamie Mott, the gelding hung on to defeat Place Of Gold, $8.50, by a half-head with the $2.70 favourite Pounding a similar margin away third.
“It was a perfect ride by Jamie,” Sell said.
“We were worried about a couple of them but he got a good run from the barrier.”
Sell said he would likely run the gelding at Sandown in a similar race on Wednesday week.
Lovin’ Laughs is raced by the Miles family and has now won four races with three second placings from his 18 starts.
Pakenham win for Goodwin
The following day at Sportsbet-Pakenham, Mott was back in the winner’s stall aboard the Barry Goodwin-trained Stagger Together, paying $4.20.
The Seymour-trained four-year-old Complacent gelding was a narrow winner of the Carl Fanizza Takes On Sportsbet 4YO+ Maiden Plate over 1400 metres.
The gelding defeated the $2.05 favourite Versilia by a half-head with Bob The Horse, $13, a further three quarters of a length away third.
A $22,000 purchase by Mark Pilkington Management at the 2019 Karaka New Zealand Bloodstock sale, the gelding is raced by Mangalore Park Racing and other stable clients.
The consistent Stagger Together had two second placings prior to his win.
Brown’s Benalla win
Fellow Seymour trainer Stephen Brown was successful with Judge Jeanine, $3.80, at Benalla last Friday.
The Shamus Award six-year-old mare, after a narrow defeat first up early in the month, made amends by taking out the JAR Plumbing BMW8 Handicap over 1612 metres.
In an all-apprentice finish, the mare was ridden by Kiran Quilty, defeating the $3.20 favourite by a half-head with Mulofdubai, $6.50, third.
Judge Jeanine has now won five races with 10 minor placings from her 30 starts.
Last to first for Hanna’s Scurry
After failing to beat a runner home at her previous start at Kyneton earlier in the month, Kilmore trainer Hanna Powell’s Hurry Scurry turned the table with an impressive win at Bendigo on Saturday.
The five-year-old daughter of O’Lonhro and Hurry, ridden by Jake Duffy, came from the rear of the field with a well-timed run to take out the Wild Plumbing 0-58 Handicap over 1100 metres.
The mare defeated O’Reg, $26, by three quarters of a length with the $2 favourite Lady Cumberland a short half-head away third.
“It was a forgive run at Kyneton,” Powell said.
“It was a very rough race and she got tunnelled side to side.”
Powell, who bred the mare, races her in partnership with her husband Ian and district identities Robert Chapman and
Barbara McElroy, said the mare would have her next run on her home track at Kilmore in a ‘58’ over 1100 metres.
Powell was full of praise of former jockey Jason Baldock’s handling of the fractious mare as strapper.
Hurry Scurry has now won two races with two minor placings from her seven starts.
Kilmore this Thursday
Kilmore Racing Club will host a turf meeting at bet365 Park on Thursday. Admission is free, and for Trackside dining bookings ring the club on 5783 0777.
