Doody reaps rewards for journey north

Manawatu harness racing trainer Stephen Doody combined with junior driver Crystal Hackett to score a winning double at Cambridge Raceway last night.

With four runners engaged at the meeting, Doody started the night off with a bang, taking out the quinella in the Oktoberfest Tickets On Sale Now Handicap Trot when Sweet Olivia (Creatine) held on for a second consecutive win, ahead of stablemate Johnny Who.

“Good runs from both trotters tonight,” said Doody, “I actually thought Johnny Who could win tonight but Sweet Olivia really stuck her nose out and got there.”

Both the Doody runners started off the front line but Sweet Olivia, who started wider out on the unruly, had the better start stepping smoothly for Hackett and initially landing in the trail behind Break Free with stable mate Johnny Who on her back. Hackett quickly elected to send Sweet Olivia forward to lead and dictated the pace from there, with Johnny Who remaining three back on the fence until shifting out to the one out one back position with a lap to run.

Hackett rated Sweet Olivia well over the final 800 metres to maintain her lead and score the win by half a head, gamely holding off the late challenge by Johnny Who, who was a brave second after a sustained run home when three wide without cover over the final 600 metres. It was the five-year-old Creatine mare’s fourth lifetime win.

“Sweet Olivia started really well tonight which she doesn’t usually do, but her stepping quickly probably put paid to Johnny Who tonight” said Doody “They went a good time for them and the win is penalty free for Sweet Olivia.”

“I’ll probably head to Alexandra Park with Sweet Olivia next as she’s happy right handed but Johnny Who will stick to Cambridge and Manawatu which starts in early November.”

SWEET OLIVIA REPLAY

Doody and Hackett’s next victory came with Baileys Pitch (Bettor’s Delight) in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Mobile Pace over 2200 metres.

In an eventful start, the race favourite Desistella lost ground when galloping prior to dispatch, followed by Im Not The Maid in barrier three galloping and landing at the rear of the field. From his starting draw of six, Baileys Pitch was well clear of any trouble and Hackett landed the one out one back position following Messenger Buoy.

With Cristiano Buccini in front providing a solid lead time, Baileys Pitch enjoyed an economical trip with Hackett sitting tight until rounding the home turn and upon straightening, the gelding let down to score his third career win by a head over Cheer Me On in a time of 2:41.2.

“It was so good to get that win for the syndicate that own him because they’ve had no luck with barrier draws with this horse,” said Doody, “they really deserved it.”

“Three out of the four all went good races tonight which makes the drive home a bit easier!”

Andre Poutama, who trains from Pukekohe, also scored a training double last night with Desert Dawn and driver Frank Phelan winning the Trot Into Tuesdays at Cambridge Raceway Mobile Pace for the amateur drivers. Poutama’s second winner for the night was Ordained who scored a penalty fee win in the Off The Track Food And Bev Handicap Trot in the hands of in-form junior driver Harrison Orange. It was his fifth win in just 15 career starts.

For complete race results, click here.

by Brigette Solomon, for Harness Racing New Zealand