Doubles all round at Kellerberrin season closer

Donald Harper opened the meeting at Kellerberrin on Sunday October 8 with a race-to-race double, with the first race going the way of Ourfirstimpression (Rock N Roll World).

Bred and owned by Bob and Marilyn Fowler, the two-year-old made his return to racing on Sunday with new trainer Craig Hynam, with the youngster claiming his first win at start six, with a winning margin of 5.7m in 2:02:3 over the 1730m trip.

OURFIRSTIMPRESSION REPLAY

Race two saw Donald Harper not only drive the winner, but prepare it as well, with Ima Aussie Artist (Vincent) getting his first win for the stable in just four starts.

Breaking through for his maiden win at start 15, the three-year-old was purchased by the Gibellini family at the 2021 APG Yearling Sales for $20,000 from breeder Copper Lodge (Mike Howie).

After sitting in the breeze for the majority of the 2130m trip, the $1.95 favourite proved too good for his rivals, with a 2.6m margin on the line in 2:03:9.

Harper was staring down the barrel of a driving treble on the day, but Ryan Bell and Emily Johnson spoiled the party with Major Manhattan taking top spot in the third on the card.

The three-year-old started as the $1.20 favourite and although he was first up since his last start in March for the new stable, it appears he appreciate the step back in class.

“He has good ability, just lacks a bit of killer instinct,

“We will just place him around country places to hopefully find the right races and give him some confidence.” Ryan Bell said.

It wouldn’t be a country meeting without Shannon Suvaljko getting a winner, and on Sunday he managed a driving double, with The Mercenary taking out race four for trainer Bevan Stokes

The double westbred son of Fly Like An Eagle brought up his fourth career win in just 26 starts, with the now four-year-old doing plenty of work to get the job done, with just a head between him and the second horse, The Dark night, with it being a Suvaljko brothers quinella in the fourth.

It was a race-to-race double for Suvaljko, with the Peter Tilbrook trained Cavalry Call taking out race five on the card.

The ten-year-old veteran took his total stakes to $160,000 on Sunday, bringing up his 22nd career win in 257 starts, showing the standardbreds true tenacity to space the field by 18.5m over the 1730m sprint trip in 2:00:1.

It was a day for race-to-race doubles, with Kyle Harper taking out the final two events on the day. Tommy Kruze NZ was successful in race six for trainer Michael Blakemore, with the $4 shot coming from behind to take a comfortable win in 2:02:1 over the 2130m journey.

The now six-year-old has had seven starts this time back, with Sundays win his third this preparation.

Maryann White described the win in the last one of mixed emotions, with the 29-start maiden Whoz This breaking through for his first win.

With a last start second just two weeks prior at Kellerberrin, the six-year-old has been in the money of late, not finishing any further back than fifth in his last 14 starts for the stable.

Whoz This started from barrier five in the last in the card over the 1730m trip, and after settling in the one-out-one-back position throughout, was able to come out on top with a last half of 61 seconds to win by 3.3m over the race favourite in Star Of Kaos, giving Harper the final leg of his driving double on the day.

Racing at The Central Wheatbelt Harness Racing Club is over for another season, with the club set to return next year for their 100th year of racing.

For complete race results, click here.

by Ashleigh Paikos, for RWWA