TROTTERS TO FORE AT MARYBOROUGH

■ Popular Maryborough commenced the week on February 20 and as usual, the trotters were well to the fore.

Pipers Creek (Kyneton) trainer/driver Tony Xiriha was victorious with 8Y0 Red SamuraiSpinster Clare gelding Buslin Brody in the Aldebaran Park Trotters Mobile (Heat 0ne) over 2190 metres.

Enjoying a sweet trip three back along the markers from the pole, Buslin Brody was taken away from the inside approaching the final bend to make the turn three wide and in a punishing finish, did best to prevail by 1.3 metres in a mile rate of 2-02.1, accounting for a death-seating Ero Carpe Diem (gate three) and Fun On Rum which led from gate five.

■ Heat Two saw Shepparton trainer/driver Trevor Muir make a long awaited return to the winners list when 6Y0 Andover Hall-Another Player gelding Essex Player raced and bred by Yabby Dam Farms Pty Ltd greet the judge at odds of $126.00.

Settling three back in the moving line from gate two on the second line, Essex Player weaved in-between runners prior to the home turn before switching to the sprint lane on straightening, finishing full of running to prevail by 1.2 metres from Rockford Peach off a three wide trail last lap, with Settle The Bill (four pegs) third a neck back third. The mile rate 2-05.5.

■ Junortoun part-owner/trainer Tarah

McNamara snared the Haras Des Trotteurs Maiden Trotters Mobile over 1690 metres with Poppy Popstar, a 4Y0 daughter of Danny Bouchea and Windsor Block driven by Michelle Phillips.

Starting from the extreme draw, Poppy Popstar having start number eight was able to avoid some gallopers shortly after the start settling five back along the markers as Karas Dream led from gate five.

Going forward within a lap to raced exposed, Poppy Popstar was too solid at the business end, scoring by an easy 22.5 metres over Get Up

Early (one/three) as Michelle gave a huge salute to the patrons watching. Blitzer I Hope (gate six) was third 4.5 metres away after trailing the weakening leader. The mile rate 2-01.8.

Cranbourne wins

■ An impressive winner at Cranbourne on Tuesday was 7Y0 Repeat Love-Micro Chip mare Petite Love in the 2110 metre Graham Quarries Trotters Handicap for Gordon trainer Tim McGuigan.

Driven by son Darby, Petite Love was a trifle slow to begin from barrier two settling four back along the markers as Madena Bay led from barrier three.

Coming away from the inside approaching the bell to race exposed. Petite Love raced to the front prior to the final bend to score by 9.8 metres from Homonym (one/one) and Meaghan (three pegs) who was 3.6 metres away third. The mile rate 2-05.4.

■ It was great to see Ocean Grove owner/trainer Tyrone Abela in the winners stall at Cranbourne following the victory of 6Y0 Im Stately-Calder Image gelding Gee Cee Calder in the Aldebaran Park Trotters Mobile over 2080 metres.

Starting from gate two, Gee Cee Calder driven by Chris Alford galloped as the start was effected allowing pole marker Whos Me Mum to momentarily lead.

Quickly regaining his gate, Alford sooled Gee Cee Calder forward and had little trouble assuming the front running role. Allowed to bowl, Gee Cee Calder recorded a 5.1 metre margin ahead of the raging hot favourite Sunny Spider (gate three) which raced outside him for most of the trip, with Kyvalley Paint (one/one) third 10.2 metres away in third place. The mile rate 203.2.

■ Local trainer Jayne Davies has won numerous races over the years at Cranbourne and 4Y0 Well-Said-La Machane gelding Machane Said added another to the list after taking the 1609 metre Lather Up Standing @ Woodlands Stud Pace.

With Kate Gath in the sulky, Machane Said enjoyed a sweet passage three pegs from gate four with another local polemarker Dancing With Flo leading.

Using the sprint lane, Machane Said rattled

Harness Racing

credible nose away third in a thrilling finish. The mile rate 1-57.3.

■ Darraweit Guim trainer/driver Lisa Miles’

4Y0 Betterthancheddar-Queen Of The Prom gelding Mister Cheese bred and raced by South Australia’s Wyndown Stud was a tough victor of the Swift Signs Pace over 1720 metres.

Trapped wide from outside the front line, Lisa had no option but to go forward and that she did to park outside the poleline pacemaker Lady Miki racing for the bell.

Proving to be the better stayer, Mister Cheese scored by 1.4 metres in a mile rate of 1-55.8 from Lady Miki and Tyabb Wonder which was 1.6 metres away third after trailing the leader and using the sprint lane.