By ‘Pegs’
Trainers Liam Howley and Alicia Macpherson saddled up winners at Kyneton and Hanging Rock Racing Club’s successful nine-race Woodend Cup meeting at bet365 Park Kyneton on Saturday.
The former was successful at his home track with Sweet Refuge, paying $14, in the 1450-metre AGCO Finance F and M Maiden Plate.
Ridden by Mitch Aitken, the Charge Forward three-year-old defeated the $3.20 favourite Alaskan Storm by a long neck with Americain Heart, $12, a further one and a half lengths away third.
Sweet Refuge had one minor placing prior to her win from six starts.
Form reversal
After defeating only two runners home at her past two starts on her home track at Kilmore, the Macpherson-trained Sestillia, shortening from $9 to $7.50 odds, came from the rear of the field to take out the Prendegast Earthmoving 0-58 over 1450 metres.
Ridden by promising apprentice Sheridan Clarke, the Shooting To Win six-year-old mare got up in the last stride to defeat Little Richie Turf, $3.10, by a short half head with Rudibatootie, $17, a further one and a half lengths away third.
Sestillia has now won four races with six minor placings from her 31 starts.
All-the-way victory
The application of blinkers by Kyneton trainer Charles Cassar proved successful with Factually, $21, at Ararat on Sunday.
The four-year-old daughter of The Factor and Pathways led all the way to record an impressive win in the D.A Dalgleish Maiden Plate over 1100 metres.
Giving Will Gordon the first leg of a riding double for the day, the mare hung on to defeat Mee Two, $51, by two lengths with All Hell, $4.40, a head away third.
Factually was having only her third start.
Picnic success
Seymour trainer Don Dwyer saddled-up a winning double at Healesville Picnics on Saturday.
He bookended the meeting with $2.20 favourite Steady Jam and Strong Lady – a $3.80 equal favourite.
Both winners were ridden by last season’s premier hoop Shaun Cooper who completed a winning treble aboard Saturn Isle, another favourite.
Kilmore trainer Jody Thompson was also successful on the program with a comfortable win with Warrior Xena, paying $8.
The Warrior’s Reward four-year-old mare was ridden by Jack Virgona.
Free at Kilmore on Tuesday
Kilmore Racing Club will host a turf meeting at bet365 Park Kilmore today, February 7.
The first of eight races, the Bet365 Top Tote Plus Maiden Plate over 1607 metres, is programmed for 1.30pm. The last race is timed for 5pm.
Admission is free, with dining bookings in Trackside’s bistro and alfresco still available. Ring 5783 0777 for bookings.
