Harness racing returns to Laidlaw Park Stawell on Wednesday afternoon, as a permitted industry to be conducted behind closed gates, under strict COVID-19 protocols, with only participants and essential officials in attendance.
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The seven-race program kicks off at 1.18pm with the Farrers Tyrepower Pace over 2180 metres and concludes at 4.48pm with the Little Stems Pace over the 1785m sprint trip.
Harness fans can follow all the Stawell action on their devices at the Trots Vision stream, Sky Racing or the National Racing Radio Network with full fields, form-guides and punting plans available at www.harness.org.au
Ararat trainer/driver Bellman made the long haul east to Warragul on Monday and was rewarded with his 100th winner of the season when 4yo mare Jazspur overcame a 20 metre handicap to take out the Trotters Handicap.
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The daughter of Pegasus Spur CA made a brilliant beginning as the tapes were released and Bellman had no hesitation working forward to claim the lead after they'd travelled just 600 metres.
Once in front Jazspur relaxed through the middle stages and trotted solidly throughout to make it three-in-a-row for Team Bellman and her breeder/owners Gary and Tracey Hull.
Stawell trainer/driver Jason Ainsworth's very consistent gelding Zwick, broke through for a well-deserved victory at Hamilton last week in the Wimmera-Mallee Veterinary Services Maiden 3Y0 Pace.
Beginning best from gate three to lead, Zwick just lasted by a nose from the fast-finishing He Will Wantano (Jason Lee) with Strawberry Delight (Grant Campbell) 1.7 metres away in third place, after using the sprint lane.
Balmoral trainer Janet Exell also enjoyed success at Hamilton with her 5yo mare My Porche in the 1660m Taylor Motors Pace. The race was won at the start when driver David Murphy took My Porche to the lead and at the post held the barest of margins from Underplay (Jason Ainsworth), Tedkane (Jackie Barker) and Snazola (Kerryn Manning) in a blanket finish.
Former NZ colt Stag Party proved much too strong for the opposition when saluting at his Aussie debut at Bendigo last week. Trained at Charlton by Greg Norman for Cormack Racing SA, Stag Party pulled very hard outside the leader early on and driver Kerryn Manning allowed the son of Bettors Delight USA to stride clear for the last lap and a half of the contest.
The 3YO went on to record his first victory for the new owners and the sixth of his 18 starts to date.
Trainer Joey Thompson and driver Ryan Sanderson combined for a home-track double at Charlton last Thursday afternoon with Clarenden Envoy and Cee Cee In America.
Clarenden Envoy began brilliantly to claim the lead from gate six, before Sanderson opted to hand up mid-race and make use of the sprint lane towards the finish. The plan paid off as the 4yo gelding raced clear in the shadows of the post, to score by 2 metres in a rate of 1:58.1 for the 2100 metre journey.
Cee Cee In America was having his third start for new owners and the Thompson stable and settled three back the markers after starting from the second row for the 1609m dash.
Poised to strike, Sanderson found clear air at the top of the home stretch and the 5yo gelding flashed home to record his tenth career victory in a rate of 1:54.1.
WEST SIDE WIMMERA WALLY'S TIPS
Best bet: R4 No.3 Eva Mateo $6 win
Value bet: R7 No.9 Eastbro Jesse $3 eachway
Flexi bet: Running double R5&6 Nos. 1,3,8,9 into 2,4,6,8 spend $8
Last return: $20.50 @ Warracknabeal gallops
Balance: $791.10