Racing returned to Grafton on Friday and the local trainers made every post a winner with four of the eight events being won by CRJC based trainers. First blood was drawn by Bruce Swan when SAHARA SNIP ran right upto its good recent form leading throughout to win the Fillies @ Mares Maiden 1006M. The 4YO daughter of Shaft jumped brilliantly and immediately had the others off the bit as it cruised to the lead under a solid hold from from Raymond Spokes to give nothing else a chance throughout the event. It was only the third start for the mare which had run a solid second at Grafton at its previous start. SAHARA SNIP is raced by Grant Phelan who also bred the mare. The second Grafton winner has taken a few more than three racetrack appearances to ring up number but was no less impressive in winning the 1606m Maiden. FRENCH VOYAGER was having his twenty third race start in the event and raced in the opposite style to the previous winner. The 6YO son of Choisir was slowly away and then raced at the rear of the field until the 900m when Ben Looker decided to press the accelerator and put himself into the race three wide. In what proved to be a master stroke FRENCH VOYAGER was stalking the leaders by the home turn then raced to the lead shortly after but at the 200m was headed and looked certain to be beaten however under hard riding from Looker fought back to to win in a tight photo. FRENCH VOYAGER has had a few homes in his career and was only having his second start since joining the astute Greg Howells yard. Another 6YO gelding provided the third winner for Grafton when the Graeme Want trained HARLEY DOWN treated the opposition with contempt in the BM55 1106m. Ridden by Beau Appo HARLEY DOWN settled worse than mid field on the fence before weaving between runners in the straight to sprint to the lead below the 200m to win with plenty in reserve. Such was the ease of his win that Beau Appo was already giving the gelding a congratulatory pat well before the post was reach. The Want stable has been in great form of late and providing HARLEY DOWN can remain race fit there looks to be plenty more wins in store for the son of Shovhog which is raced by CRJC board member and long time Want stable supporter Andrew Hayes. The forth Grafton Winner came by way of another fine ride from Ben Looker SPANISH SMILE trained by John Shelton was allowed settle midfield fence by Looker and coming to the turn the daughter of Benicio was clearly travelling like a winner there was however only one issue the mare was still ninth in the big field and four back on the fence. After straightening Looker had a quick look to his outside before electing to shift back to the inside fence to gain a rails run and in the end just shifted around the heels of the leader to win with plenty in reserve. SPANISH SMILE is raced by a syndicate which includes the Trainer and retired Trainer Kevin Burns. It was the mares second win this preparation but judging by the ease of this victory there will be more wins in store.
Posted on: Sat, 21 Sep 2013 23:16:41 +0000
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