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Back-to-back metro wins for Howley

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By ‘Pegs’

KYNETON trainer Liam Howley’s Virtuous Circle has nearly already recouped half of his $360,000 price after only three starts.

The New Zealand-bred three-year-old son of Almanzor and She Is Striving made it back-to-back metro wins in taking out the $150,000 Hugh-Wallace-Smith Handicap over 1500 metres at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

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Paying $26, Virtuous Circle gave former New South Wales rider Blaike McDougall the first of two winners on the program.

Virtuous Circle never left the rails from barrier one to get up and defeat Castillian, $4.80, by a short-half-head with the Blake Shinn mount Proscenium Arch, a $2.90 favourite, a similar margin away third.

Howley turned the colt out for a spell after taking out the $130,000 Mornington Guineas in March, starting at odds of $61.

A purchase at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Howley said he was lucky when he had to sell off the shares.

“I got some really good people in. Some good clients, my mum and dad, and friends of the family,” he said.

“I’d like to think he’s a (Caulfield) Guineas horse but otherwise I thought 2000 metres might be in his hitting zone. Maybe 2400, so maybe he’s a Derby horse.”

Howley said the colt would have his next start in the Stutt Stakes at The Valley on Friday, September 23.

“He’s pulled up well and we’ll make a plan after that race,” he said.

Howley said he was so impressed with his developing purchase last year that he purchased his full brother at the sales this year for $220,000.

First for Sims

Kilmore trainer Jacqui Sims saddled-up her first winner at Sportsbet-Pakenham Synthetic last Monday.

Giving the young trainer a big thrill, Sims was successful with Ambalac, from $14 to $10, in taking out the Sportsbet Bet With Mates Maiden Plate over 2200 metres.

Having only his fourth start, the five-year-old gelded son of Americain and Andronica was ridden by Teo Nugent.

Drawing the second outside barrier, the gelding was trapped six wide on the turn out of the straight and Nugent had no option but to snag his mount back to last.

Prior to the home turn, the gelding was pulled out, again five wide, and kept plugging away in the straight to record an impressive win over Madam Maythem, $4.20, by three quarters of a length with the $2.50 favourite, Steak Knives, a neck away third.

Bred by Kilmore residents June Fletcher and local vet Dr Anita Burke and her partner Peter Lane, the trio race the gelding with the trainer and other stable clients including Melbourne Cup-winning owner Colleen Bamford.

Sims said the horse was quite immature in the early days.

“I’m so proud of him,” she said.

“I only do this as a hobby. I learnt the ropes from district trainers Barry Goodwin and Peter Morgan.”

Sims said the gelding would have his next run on the turf at Bendigo on September 8 in a rating 64 over 2400 metres.

Ambalac had a minor placing on the Pakenham synthetic prior to his win. The gelding is also Super VOBIS qualified giving the breeders/owners an added bonus.

Patience rewarded

Seymour trainer Stephen Brown had to wait for Egyptian Wonder’s 20th start to receive a winner’s cheque from him.

The Desert King five-year-old gelding was most impressive in taking out the $37,500 MBCM Strata Specialists Maiden Plate over 2100 metres at Echuca on Thursday.

Ridden by Harry Coffey, the gelding defeated Kaciga, $10, by four and a half lengths with Guido a further one and a half lengths away, third.

Brown said Egyptian Wonder loved the heavy nine type of surface.

“He really doesn’t like the hard track,” he said.

“It was a good ride by Harry. He’s good value – a couple of wins from three rides for us.”

Egyptian Wonder had seven minor placings prior to his win.

Horse of Year

The 2021 bet365 Kilmore Cup winner Hi Stranger was voted the 2021-22 Country Horse of the Year at a gala function witnessed by more than 650 guests at Docklands on Saturday night.

The Shane Fliedner-trained Bendigonian was also runner-up in the Bendigo Golden Mile

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