David Braithwaite
TWO locally-trained horses won races at Bairnsdale on Wednesday.
Achaeus, trained by Susie Wells at Sale and ridden by Chelsea Hall, won the 1600 metre maiden plate.
The five-year-old gelding, in his 13th start, finished a head in front of Strikeout, trained by Sharyn Trolove at Bundalaguah and ridden by Will Gordon.
Achaeus went to the lead early and set the pace, holding off Strikeout, who made a run along the fence in the home straight.
Panagsama, trained at Sale by Paul Worthington, won a 1000m maiden on debut.
The three-year-old colt, with Brian Park in the saddle, led along the rail throughout the race, winning by three-quarters of a length.
In addition to Strikeout, Trolove had two other place-getters on the day.
Make An Effort, ridden by Park, finished third in the 1000m benchmark 58 handicap, while Tycoon Felix, ridden by Gordon, came third in the 1600m benchmark 58 handicap after a second placing at Moe on Friday.
Ally’s Reward, trained at Sale by Allan Douch and ridden by Beau Mertens, finished second in a 2200m benchmark 58 handicap, finishing two lengths behind winner Anikery.
Five days earlier, Ally’s Reward recorded her second win from 37 starts during last Friday’s Moe meeting.
Coming off a seventh placing in the Traralgon Cup, the eight-year-old mare won the 2050 metre benchmark 58 handicap.
Ally’s Reward rattled home with Beau Mertens abroad to deny Mr Charisma, trained at Moe by Allison Bennet, in the final stride.
Following a second placing at Woolamai last month, Tycoon Felix, ridden by Gordon, finished third in the 1600m benchmark 58 handicap, just over a length behind winner Parallel World, the daughter of 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking.
Racing returns to Greenwattle Racecourse this Sunday for the Sale Turf Club’s annual Christmas raceday.
It will be the first meeting at Greenwattle since Sale Cup day. During the break, annual track work was completed.
With attendance capped at 500 people, patrons must register before the day through the Sale Turf Club.
There are no bookings via the club’s website.
