Locals back racing at Sale Turf Club

HORSERACING

By TOM HAYES

FOLLOWINGmonthsofdeliberation,the Sale Turf Club was back in operation with the Sale Quality Kids Day Out on Sunday (February 5).

The nine-race meet was presented to aSoft 5 track, following days of downpour, but the days’ weather was an improvement as the track progressed to aGood 4after Race 3.

The Race 1Ladbrokes Punter Assist Maiden Plate ran over 1103 metres was won by Tiz Enuf for Flemington’s Anthony and Sam Freedman.

The short-priced favourite was quick to find the front from the jump, leading the entire race.

As it looked likeother horses may make their move, Tiz Enuf found another gear to kick ahead and win by two lengths.

Race 2’s Lords CleaningService Maiden Plate (1003m) was expertly won by Belvago for Cranbourne’s Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock.

Just like the previous race, Belvago tookthe lead from the jump and never gave it up.

While other horses fought on the final straight, it allowed him to stay steadily in front, winning by just over alength.

Dempster for Sale’s Susie Wells was the best of the localrunners finishing in fifth, whileJust Ralphfor Sale’s Bill Wood came eighth.

The Race 3Cabinet Connections Maiden Plate (1203m) was won by Campania Volpe for Cranbourne’s Adrian McGregor.

The favourite, Rampant Lion, held thepaceof the race past the 1000m mark, while the eventual winner, paying $16, was second last.

With about 200m to go, Campania Volpe finally burst toward the front, taking the lead at the final moment to win by aneck.

Race 4’s Bennett Electrical Maiden Plate (1203m) was won by another Cranbourne local, Contanti forMichael Kent.

Catching Clouds for Moe’s Pauland Tracey Templeton took an early lead, stretching out to nearly three lengths.

At the 100m mark, bothStarHonour and Contanti became the front runners, both more than five lengths ahead of third.

Contanti held on to win by just under alength, while Atomoscar for Moe’s Catherina Martindale came third by anose.

NightEruption for Sale’s Paul Worthington was the next best local runner, coming eighth, meaning the remaining four local runners filtered between ninth and 14th.

The Race 5Macwaste Group MaidenPlate (1407m) was won by Hanibal Hero for Heath Hill’s Brendan McCarthy.

Local debutant, Snowgun for Cliff Murray, ran particularly well holding the pace, yet fell off toward the end of the race.

Hanibal Hero raced justoff pacebehind the front runners, allowing himself to pounce on the straight.

He held on to win by half alength to Distorted Mission, who also finished fast.

The best of the localswas Classic Story for Sale’s Heather Stephens, who was anose away from third, finishing fourth while paying $151. Noortoomany for Sale’s Rebecca Kelly finished strongly in fifth while the other three locals crossed the line in 10th position or lower.

Race 6’s Simic Betta Home Living Sale Handicap BM58 (1407, was the final race of the meet with no locals, yet provided athriller.

Following aphoto finish, it was found that Reo for Cranbourne’s Richard Laming won by anose to the favourite, Diddley Squat.

Diddley Squat held firm at the front of the pack, before beginning to sprint after the final bend.

Reo joined Diddley Squat and the two wentstride for stride up until the line providing agrandstand finish

TheRace 7Viatek Handicap BM58 (1103m)was comfortably taken out by Zionfor Flemington’s Nick Ryan.

I’m Cheeky for Sale’s Bill Wood was the pacesetter overthe courseofthe race, leadingupuntilthe 200m mark, before falling to the rear and finishing 10th.

Street Swaggerfor Sale’s Troy Kilgower did the opposite, sitting at the rear of the pack before making alateforward lunge, finishing seventh.

Zion began to overtake the leading pack in the final 400m, jetting ahead with 200m to go, before winning by over two lengths.

Race 8’s John Elliman Real Estate Sale Quality Handicap BM78 (1203m), wasanother comfortable win, this time it was Jungle Jim for Flemington’s Michael Moroney.

Jungle Jim had the bestjump of the lot,allowing him to take an early lead, joined by Najem Suhail, thepair had five lengths on the rest.

Justasthey prepared to take on the final straight, Jungle Jim proved why he was the favourite, stepping three lengths clear to take out acomfortable victory.

APenny Spent for Sale’s Stephens ran at the front of the midfield but as she turned around the final bend, she began to lose positions, finishing eighth.

For the final race of the day -the Race 9Ladbroke

It! Handicap BM58 (1724m), six of the 12 runners in the field were local, upgrading the chance of a winner at last.

Alocal winner was finally victorious after nineraces in Sale,whenHigh Done for Moe’s Templeton’s won by ahead.

Just like alot of previous runners on the day, High Done had agreat start from the barrier, leading the field around the course.

Alongside High Done in the early stages was fellow Moe-trained horse,Acey Deucy, the two going two lengths clear of the pack at the 800m mark.

As they turned onto the main straight,Acey Deucystarted to drop,while AlbanianEagle launchedher attack, comingalongsideHighDone.

But High Done repelled the attack, keeping his lead, holding on by ahead to win.

High Done hasfinally achievedreward for his efforts,after improvingasoflate; toward the end of 2022, he couldn’tfind the front, but within the last monthortwo, he has found form with two placings.

The next best-placed local horsewas Not A Problem for Moe’sAllison Bennett,who climbed to seventh after settling at the rear.

Sale Turf Club will host its next event -Wednesday Racing -onFebruary22, whilethe next local meet is in Moe today (Wednesday, February 8) as the MoeRacing Club holds atransferred meet from Ballarat.