Runningonempty takes out the Southern District Derby

It was a case of a friend putting in a good word for him when Aiden De Campo got Runningonempty (Fly Like An Eagle), and it’s a decision that is paying off in dividends for all involved.

On Saturday night at Narrogin, the three-year-old double westbred son of Fly Like An Eagle started as the $1.45 favourite in the Narrogin Racing 3YO Great Southern Districts Derby (2242m) and with Aiden De Campo enlisting country specialist Trent Wheeler with the harness racing drive, the pair took top spot in the $11,000 feature.

“I was just lucky to get him as Shanksy’s (Adrian Shanks) place was too wet in Albany and Trent (Wheeler) told him to send him to me.”

Making his debut for De Campo’s camp in late August 2023, Runningonempty has now had three wins for the stable from just seven starts, with his career statistics now sitting at 14 starts for 5 wins and 5 second placings and stakes in excess of $35,000 not including the double westbred bonuses on offer.

“Yeah I think so (he has ability), he’s been a hard horse to get a gauge on as he has mixed his form for me,

“Hopefully I’ve got him worked out now.”

RUNNINGONEMPTY REPLAY

Two-year-old Worlds Above made it two in a row on Saturday night for the Peter Anderson stable, giving Trent Wheeler a double in the cart. The son of the ill-fated Rock N Roll World USA settled in the one-one position for the majority of the 2242m journey, coming home the better to win by 3.8m.

Nathan Turvey celebrated his 650th training success with Ventura NZ delivering the 46-year-old the impressive feat. After a winner the night earlier at Gloucester Park with Chal Patch NZ, Turvey made the trip down to Narrogin with three in tow, with the six-year-old New Zealand import getting the win at his second appearance in WA.

The standing start went the way of Gliding Star for Jemma Hayman and Chris Lewis after the three-year-old began well from the front-line handicap over the 2636m trip, surrendering the lead early to the race favourite in Caliente, only to retake the lead 20m from the line to win by 1.2m.

$2.75 favourite Cooper NZ has been in and out of form of late, but the five-year-old was able to break a 24-start losing sequence on the night, and a 4-month hiatus from the winner’s circle for trainer Michael Young. Driven by Gary Hall Jnr, the pair led all the way, with the win the first of three for Hall Jnr on the night.

Wheresthetowrope brought up win number two for Gary Hall Jnr, getting up at $7 odds for trainer Matt Scott.

The last on the card delivered Michael Young a training double, and a driving treble for Gary Hall Jnr when Joelene made it a winning debut for the new stable. The $1.36 favourite came from the one-out-two-back position after starting from barrier 8 in race seven, with Hall Jnr putting the mare three wide with just under a lap to go, rocketing past the field to win by a comfortable 9.9m margin over the 2242m trip at Narrogin.

For complete race results, click here.

by Ashleigh Paikos, for RWWA