Gregor Mactaggart
BOOKMAKERS copped a bloodbath as favourites reigned supreme at Moe yesterday.
Of the seven races run and won in the Latrobe Valley on Anzac Day, six were taken out by favourites and the longest-priced winner had an SP of $5.
That horse was hometown galloper Knitting, who delivered a popular success for Moe trainer Allison Bennett.
The former Tasmanian mare had put the writing on the wall with a game second at Kyneton in her most previous outing and went one better in the
Hip Pocket Rating 58 Handicap (1200m). Knitting powered straight to the front from the wide draw under 3kg claiming apprentice jockey Mikaela Lawrence and never gave her rivals a look in, racing away to score by a length and three quarters from $101 roughie Billieo.
Jockey Patrick Moloney proved the punters pal in his winning double. Moloney came to the fore in the opener when Love Takes Time ($2.60 into $2.00) landed some good bets on her way to a winning debut.
A three-year-old daughter of Galileo bred in Ireland, Love Takes Time is out of Monsoon Wedding, who sold for $2.3 million as a broodmare in 2014.
The mare has had six daughters with a pricetag of $1 million or more, so expect Love Takes Time to build on her first success in the Law Somerville Industries Maiden Plate (1600m).
Moloney rounded out his double aboard the Peter Moody-trained Riot And Rose in the Young Signs Maiden Plate (1200m).
The striking grey son of Pins was supported from $2.90 into $2.20 and signalled better things are in store after a stylish two length victory on debut.
Godolphin produced another Moe winner when Dixiana ($3.20fav) won the Smick Health and Fitness Maiden Plate (1000m).
The three-year-old filly by Street Boss built on her third at Bendigo the start prior by beating home Reddisun by a length and a quarter.
Dylan Dunn produced a fine ride to get Sir Marengo home in the Cool Aqua Springs Rating 58 Handicap (2400m).
Dunn saved ground coming into the home turn as a pair of the leading chances made their runs out wide, but Sir Marengo found the run and powered away to prevail by four and a quarter lengths.
Charlotte Littlefield and Carleen Hefel combined with Across The Way ($5 into $4.20fav), the winner of the Cervus Equipment Leongatha Rating 58 Handicap (1100m).
Across The Way revelled in the soft conditions to seal her second win at start eight by a length and a quarter.
Pindi Pride ($4.20 into $3.20fav) held out Collectable in a thrilling climax to the Ladbrokes Rating 58 Handicap (1600m).
Trained at Pakenham by Paul Kramer, the five-year-old grey mare sealed her third win at start 21 under the urgings of jockey Jason Benbow
