By ‘Pegs’
DISTRICT stables took out the first two races at the Larkfield Pastoral St Pats Cup meeting at Yea picnic meeting on Sunday.
Seymour trainer Gordon Strang started the day off poorly for punters, saddling-up 20-1 shot Ritzy Rita.
It was the Hampton Court five-year-old mare’s third start for Strang after she was formerly trained by Tabilk horseman Saab Hasan.
The win gave Dani Walker the first leg of a riding double.
The following race, Kilmore trainer Tony Carter-Smith was successful with Main Beach, $6, in the Bet365 Odds Drift Protector Trophy1 Handicap, over 1200 metres.
The win gave the Reward For Effort four-year-old gelding his third victory from his past five starts.
Ridden by Kilmore hoop Tyson Barton, who also part-owns the gelding along with his partner Courtney Talty and his father Greg Barton, Main Beach was allowed to settle out of the gates and soon went to the lead.
Rated beautifully, he was never headed, defeating Kuroyume, $6.50, by one and three quarter lengths, with Sky Warrior, $4.20, third.
Main Beach has now won five races with two minor placings from his 17 starts.
Woolamai winner
The previous day at Woolamai, Seymour trainer Don Dwyer saddled-up Chilli Chilli, $5, for a nice win in the Stephen Manion Cup Open Trophy Race Handicap over 2008 metres.
Ridden by leading hoop Shaun Cooper, who bookended the meeting, the Testa Rossa six-year-old mare defeated Savvy Dan, $20, by one and a quarter lengths, with Mr Zigmund third.
Formerly New South Wales trained, Chilli Chilli, now raced by the trainer and his partner Mary Hackshaw, has won three races with 10 minor placings from her 47 starts.
Kilmore this Friday
Kilmore Racing Club will host a turf meeting this Friday at bet365 Park Kilmore.
Admission is free and bookings for Trackside bistro and alfresco dining can be made by ringing 5783 0777.
