By ‘Pegs’
KILMORE trainer Jody Thompson had a day out at Swan Hill on Sunday.
Thompson took out the first two races on the program with Batahi, paying $21, and the debutante Vamos Rapido, $26, respectively.
The former, a Crowded House five-year-old mare, was having only her third start for the stable in the Martin McGuinness Memorial Maiden Plate over 1600 metres.
Positioned mid-field in the run by Joe Bowditch, who pulled the mare out when straightening, Batahi went to the line an impressive winner, defeating Autissiodorum, $7.50, by one and a half lengths, with the winner’s stablemate, Irving Again, $41, a further two and a quarter lengths away third.
Batahi is raced by the trainer, her son Ash, who strapped the mare, her parents Norm and Faye Thompson, and other stable clients.
The following race, the New Zealand-bred three-year-old daughter of El Roca and Miscellanea was equally impressive in taking out the A Grade Sheds Special Ballot Maiden Plate over 1200 metres.
Giving Jack Hill the first leg of a riding treble, the Vamos Rapido defeated Pontmeirion, $6.50, by three quarters of a length, with Koyuga Bound, $21, a neck away third.
The filly, a Karaka Ready to Run purchase, is also raced by the Thompson family and other stable clients.
“I said to Normie that it might be a good weekend with runners at Alex and Swan Hill, but Alex turned out dirty so I lost a bit [confidence] after that,” Jody Thompson said.
“Batahi was a big run in the first for us at Kilmore and she didn’t handle the track at Bendigo. I gave them a sneaky chance. It was a big thrill.”
Thompson went close later on the program to make it three for the day, with last start winner, Avid General.
The $4.40 equal favourite drew the outside barrier and was trapped wide all of the 975-metre journey, going down to the Gwenda Johnstone-trained Very Shamus, part-owned by Kyneton Racing Club manager Jon Dight.
St Pat’s Cup to Naylor
Later on the program, Kyneton trainer Sue Naylor saddled up $3.90 favourite Danali to take out the Poole’s Accountants St Patrick’s Cup over 1600 metres.
The four-year-old daughter of Written Tycoon and Orchard Street, ridden by Jack Hill, defeated The Enzo, $4.40, by a half-head with Frank The Yank, $41, a short half-head away third.
Bred by the trainer’s mother, former trainer Pauline Naylor, the mare is raced by her, in partnership with the trainer and several stable clients.
The win was the mare’s second with four minor placings from her 13 starts.
Osborne at home
District trainers had to wait until the last of eight races before a local saluted the judge at Kyneton and Hanging Rock Racing Club’s meeting at bet65 Park Kyneton on Thursday.
Kyneton trainer George Osborne saddled up the $2.70 favourite Revhead for a narrow win in the Prendegast Earthmoving BM58 Handicap over 1469 metres.
The ultra-consistent four-year-old gelded son of Testa Rossa and Whitehousewhispers was well rated by Billy Egan in defeating Dexa Bill, $10, by a short half-head with True Impact, $8, a half-head away third.
“He is as cunning as a fox,” Osborne said after the win.
“He was clocking off early as he just wanted to go home.
“All credit to Billy – he rode the horse terrific from a wide gate and just found his feet and he took his time and coaxed him to the line and got a way with it.”
Revhead was a $25,000 purchase by Osborne at the 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for himself and stable clients, headed by long-time owner Alex Babauskis.
The gelding has now won two races with five minor placings from 12 starts, earning $51,400 in prizemoney.
The Osborne-Egan combination went close to making it a winning double for the day but was beaten in the previous race by a short half-head with Villa Sarchi, $3.10.
The in-form hoop Zac Spain took riding honours for the day with a winning double.
The next meeting at Kyneton is on Thursday, March 31.
Alexandra winners
District trainers took out half of the program at Alexandra picnic races on Saturday.
Leading picnic trainer, Seymour’s Don Dwyer, won with $3.30 favourite Dishy’s.
The following race was won by Kyneton trainer and district clerk of course, Bog Challis’s Henry’s House, paying $4.60.
In the last race, Kilmore’s Annie Goble and promising Kilmore apprentice Tyson Barton combined for an easy win with the home-bred Femme Americain, $4, winning by four and a quarter lengths.
Kilmore turf on Thursday
Kilmore Racing Club will host a turf meeting on Thursday.
Admission is free. For dining bookings in the bistro or alfresco area, call 5783 0777.
