Two vie for hat-trick after country success

Im Master Charlie and Our Jericho will both be looking to complete a hat-trick of wins when they meet in the Murray Downs Discretionary Handicap on Friday night.

The Brennan Racing prepared Im Master Charlie, a standing start specialist, has won from a 40m handicap at his last two outings in Northam and will appreciate the front row draw this week.

Driven patiently on May 5th, the Bettors Delight 6yo entire swamped the field with a dazzling burst of speed heading down the back straight for the last time and was engaged in a stride-for-stride battle with Casey Isabella in the run home to win by a nose.

A fortnight later he was able to tack on to the field after a lap before making a three-wide move with 1000m to travel. He showed dour toughness to run past his rivals in the final quarter to record a 6.2m win.

The Ross Olivieri prepared Our Jericho's past two wins were off 30 and 40m handicaps at Pinjarra and Bunbury.

A lightning fast beginner, driver Chris Lewis was able to be dragged into the race and lobbed one-out-one-back before sprinting past Arising Eastern in the home stretch, winning by 1.8m in a mile-rate of 2:00.2 for the 2631m SS on May 9th.

Twelve days later he was in Bunbury and after settling was able to make a smart mid-race move to lead the pack with 1200m left to travel. He was left alone for the remainder of the event and notched up a 2:00.9 victory by 7.2m to Buhn Lurt.

Machs A Pearler is the only other last start victor in the 2503m SS event on Friday – he saluted in a 2100m mobile event at Bunbury on the 21st of May.

Kristian Hawkins will be looking to get the son of Mach Three out better than the last time he stood at the barrier, with the horse being successful in leading all the way in 10 of his 12 career wins. 

Scott Hamilton