Anton Golino and Will Rixon combine to win Trot on Rakero Blaze

Master trotting trainer Anton Golino is settling down well to Menangle since he shifted up some time back from Victoria and continued his winning ways when his smart mare Rakero Blaze (Bettors Delight) gave a sound all the way display to win the Mark Sketon Memorial Trotters Handicap at Menangle Park on Saturday evening.

Driven by inform Will Rixon Rakero Blaze went straight to the lead from out wide and from then on she always looked the one to beat.

In addition to Rakero Blaze, Golino had two other runners namely Sheetweb Weaver and Leaf Stride who settled back in the middle of the field before making runs along the back straight.

New Zealand bred Johns Boy who has been in the capable hands of Brent Lilley issued a strong challenge at the top of the home straight but Rakero Blaze under desperate driving by Rixon held on to win by a short half head with Hes A Hammer in third place.

RAKERO BLAZE AUG 1 REPLAY

It was Golino’s second win in successive weeks as the week before he had won with Leaf Stride.

Golino is renowned as a top trainer of trotters and his move to Menangle is a welcome addition to trotting ranks for New South Wales where trotters races are only conducted at a limited number of tracks. But the quality of the races have improved over the years and they are most certainly here to stay.

Rakero Blaze was formerly trained by Andy Gath after arriving from New Zealand before moving over to Adelaide trainer Ryan Hryhorec and then she joined Golino just before May of this year.

She’s now won two on end for Golino at Menangle headquarters and although she seemed to do plenty wrong at her early stages with Golino she now has settled into a capable and solid mare.

The win was of special significance for star reinsman Will Rixon who brought up a career total of 800 wins. Rixon is having his best season to date and drove a classic front running drive to guide Rakero Blaze to her narrow win.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink