A treble to end partnership

Bailey McDonough and Hayden Reeves dominated the Friday night meeting at Wagin, with the driver and trainer duo joining forces for a wining treble on the card.

With McDonough leaving on Sunday for a new driving opportunity in Victoria, the youngster was determined to go out with a bang, driving three of Reeves’ runners to victory throughout the card.

Captain Casual kicked off the festivities for the pair, with the four-year-old starting first up for the Hayden Reeves stable since making his way to the Coolup based trainer in June.

At $9.00 odds, McDonough used him early to cross and settle behind the leader and with 500m to go, pulled out win with ease by 11.3m in 2.00.8 over the 1776m sprint journey.

“We’ve had a really great last few weeks, but it just really cements why Bailey and I have had a successful couple of years together. His absence will definitely be felt.” Reeves said.

It was fitting that McDonough went on to take out the ‘Good Luck Bailey, Thanks for The Memories’ Pace for the fillies and mares, when he was on board the Hayden Reeves trained Miss Pocket Rocket who recorded her first win at just her third start for the new stable.

It’s been a long time between drinks for the five-year-old, who recorded just her second career victory in 57 starts, and over two years between wins.

“It’s a huge feeling of fulfilment and satisfaction being able to drive a few winners for Hayden, who’s given me my biggest chance. This definitely sends me off in the best way and I’m glad because it couldn’t have worked out any better.” McDonough said.

The final instalment of Reeves/McDonough winning treble was rounded out in the last with Thejewelinhereye getting up at $15 odds.

Starting off the 50m handicap, the seasoned mare settled towards the back after stepping well off the back marker and managed to run down the leader and race favourite to win narrowly by a head in race eight on the card in a mile rate of 2:06:4.

Humdinger recorded his first victory in the three-year-old maiden after a last start placing at Pinjarra back in June.

Trained by Ross Olivieri and driven by Chris Playle, the race favourite worked his way to the breeze with around 1200m to go and that’s where he settled, winning by a half neck in the opener in 2:03:5 over the 2180m.

It was another maiden in race two, with I Am Pink getting the cash after an all the way victory for trainer/driver Eric Chabros. With just the one placing beside the four-year-old’s name, I am Pink was able to dictate terms, staving off the favourite to win by a head in 2:05:3 over the 2180m trip.

Racing in consistent form as late, Alta Camino came off a last start second to go one better last night, taking out the fourth on the card for driver Hayden Hancock and breeder/owner/trainer Brendon Gardiner.

After settling in the breeze throughout, he was too good for his rivals, winning comfortably by 13.2m in the 1776m sprint in a mile rate of 2:01:1.

With a lengthy break from the racetrack, Allwood Glow returned to the winners’ circle at his first start back since October 2020.

Trained and driven by Cody Wallrodt, the consistent seven-year-old who has only been out of the money once in the eight starts he’s had for Wallrodt continued his good form, giving connections their third win since purchasing him in February 2020.

“He’s the horse that got me back into the training side of things but had a few soundness issues. Being owned by me, my brother and some good mates, it always makes it a lot more enjoyable having him at the races,” Wallrodt said.

After working her way to the lead in the early stages, Eyes On The Money NZ saluted in the fifth for owner/trainer/driver Shane Young, defeating the $2.70 favourite Riverina Flash by 3m. In a mile rate of 2:05:2, the eight-year-old import recorded her sixth career victory at start 58.

With the Wagin Trotting Club putting on $200 trophies on each race and a $50 incentive for all horses finishing fifth and beyond, the meeting had full support from industry participants, with an eight-race program on offer last night.

See all the results and replays from Wagin here.

By Ashleigh Paikos for RWWA