David Braithwaite
TWO horses trained at Sale came close to claiming victory at Greenwattle Racecourse on Wednesday.
Achaeus, trained by Susie Wells, led most of race five, the 1411 metre benchmark 64 handicap, but was passed late by Delightful Hustler and favourite Obi.
A photo gave victory to Delightful Huslter, trained by Nick Harnett at Pakenham and ridden by Beau Mertens.
The four-year-old mare claimed back-to-back wins at Sale, having won there last month.
I’m Cheeky, trained by Bill Wood at Sale, finished second in race eight, the 1205m benchmark 64 handicap.
The five-year-old gelding went to an early lead, held it until being caught was caught at the post by Gennady, trained by Enver Jusufovic at Cranbourne and ridden by Michael Dee.
Returning from a 25-week spell for his first run since being gelded, the five-year-old was in last place at the top of the home straight, but finished strongly to win by half a length.
The Sale track was in ideal condition for Tuesday’s meeting, beginning the day rated a “good four” before being upgraded to “good three” for race four.
Jockey Jye McNeil left Sale with a winning double.
McNeil won the opening the race of the day, a 1104m maiden plate, on Arroance, trained by Mark Webb at Cranbourne.
The three-year-old filly, who started as favourite following second and third placings over a similar distance, set the pace before sprinting away in the straight to win by a length and a half from Denirra.
McNeil rode Green Ivy to victory in race seven, the 2219m benchmark 70 handicap, for Ken and Kasey Keys at Cranbourne.
Coming off a win at Moonee Valley, the five-year-old gelding won by a neck from Cernan.
Another favourite saluted in race two, the 1205m three-year-old maiden plate.
Sweet Sixteen, trained by Peter and Paul Snowdon at Flemington and ridden by Michael Poy, returned after a 30-week break to win by two and a half lengths from Fac.
Tametomo, a $20.30 chance at the TAB, won race three, the 1205m two-year-old maiden plate, for trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young.
Prince Amongst Men shot out to the lead, but tired late and was passed by colt Tametomo, ridden by Daniel Moor.
Grappa Di Moscato finished second ahead of Prince Amongst Men.
Florescent Star, trained by Ash Yargi at Mornington and ridden by Dean Holland, led all the way to win race four, the 1204m fillies and mares benchmark 70 handicap.
The three-year-old held off a challenge from favourite Lindhout to claim a third win from seven starts. The filly has only been out of the placings once.
Miletus, trained by Jamie Edwards at Freshwater Creek, was an eye-catching winner of race six, the 1728m benchmark 64 handicap.
The three-year-old gelding, who won a maiden at Sale in December, was three back off the fence in the straight, where Damian Lane steered her towards the middle of the track to finish impressively to win by a length and a half.
The next meeting at Sale will be on Tuesday, April 27.
