Back on track
Horsham-trained and owned pacer Fourth In Line made a speedy return to the winner’s circle at Stawell last week for Carberry and Connelly families.
The gelded son of Grinfromeartoear USA finished off the 1785-metre journey best and nabbed the leader Beekacee – Kerryn Manning – in the shadow of the post to score by a half-head in a rate of 2:00.1.
Fourth In Line had notched up his first career victory on the same track just 18 days earlier, then followed up with an unplaced effort against tougher opposition 10 days later.
Second last at the bell, driver Grant Campbell secured the back of the $2.30 favourite Itsokbeingbetter down the back straight and was able to peel three wide turning for home to have the last shot at the leaders.
Fourth In Line is a half-brother to the Connelly family’s former smart mare Bou Chard, eight wins, which has tested positive to successful stallion Sportswriter USA.
Former New Zealander The Bull Pen brought up his first win in Australia for owners Merv and Meg Butterworth when taking out a pace at Stawell.
The Kerryn Manning-trained and driven gelding made an unsuccessful challenge for the lead in the early part of the 2180-metre journey, but eventually rolled to the top after they’d travelled a lap.
A middle-half in 60.8 seconds gave the seven-year-old gelding some respite and down the home stretch the son of Tin Tin In America NZ was able to hold Single Tree Road – Michael
Stanley – at bay to score by 2.2 metres in a rate of 1:57.5.
The Bull Pen crossed the ditch to Great Western with a record of five wins and 14 minors from 37 starts and had finished second when making his first appearance for the Manning stable on May 20.
Horsham owners Barry and Yvonne Dunn have had plenty to cheer about from home during the COVID-19 restriction period, with their fouryear-old gelding Glenavril King the winner of four of his past five starts.
Harness headquarters at Melton on Saturday night was the scene of their latest success, when the son of Courage Under Fire NZ scored a minor upset in the Benstud Standardbreds Pace.
The race was considered a match race by punters between classy three-year-olds Firerockfireroll and Urbadboy but played out perfectly for ‘The King’ and driver Kerryn Manning when the favourites engaged in an early speed battle and set things up for a late challenge.
The win was Glenavril King’s sixth from 24 starts and he looks set to be in the thick of it when metropolitan class racing returns to Melton at the end of the month.
The Ararat team of Michael Gadsden and Denbeigh Wade are set to relocate to Charlton Harness Racing Centre after outgrowing their present facilities.
While the Wimmera’s loss is North Central’s gain, we wish them both all the best in their endeavours to further build the business.
Keep an eye out for those red and royal blue silks with white stars and armbands and good luck Team Gadsden-wade.