WITH the Greenwattle track upgraded to “firm two” midway through Wednesday’s eight-race program, it was not surprising horses were running good times.
In race four, six of the eight runners were trained in Gippsland, including three at Sale.
Hokkaido, trained at Moe by Darryl Blackshaw and ridden by Jamie Mott, won the race from Caulfield galloper Scapa Cove and consistent Sale galloper God Help Her, trained by Sharyn Trolove and ridden by Ibrahim Gundogdu.
Blackshaw’s four-year-old gelding was coming off a last start win at Traralgon. From only seven starts, Hokkaido has two wins and two placings.
Mark Zahra took the riding honours with a double. Zahra has ridden at least one winner in his past 10 meetings he has had more than one ride at.
Cranbourne trainer Greg Eurell and Zahra combined to win the race one maiden plate with first starter Ma Deuce.
Zahra’s second win came in race three on Blazing Socks, trained at Caulfield by Ciaron Maher.
It is always good to see Damien Oliver riding at Sale. Oliver scored an easy win on well-backed four-year-old mare Northroza, trained at Caulfield by Mick Price.
In race five, the fillies and mares benchmark 70 handicap, Northroza kicked away in the straight to score an impressive win.
Cranbourne mother and daughter team Dianne and Sally Wynne often bob up with a long-priced winner at Sale. Their winner in race two, Storm On, with Sally in the saddle, paid just over $9 at the tote.
Well-backed Rocknet, ridden by Matthew Allen and trained by Robbie Griffiths at Cranbourne, won race six, the benchmark 64 handicap, from Ashlee Marie, ridden by Oliver, and Aagas, ridden by Adam McCabe.
Coming off a win at Cranbourne, Constant Justice, trained by Matt Laurie at Mornington, made it two victories in a row in race seven, the benchmark 64 handicap.
Jockey Steven Arnold combined with Lee and Anthony Freedman to win the final event, the benchmark 70 handicap, with Irish-bred Tom Melbourne.
The next meeting at Greenwattle will be held next Thursday.
