Duo earn top reward
Horsham owner Shannon Hoffmann celebrated victory with Stawell trainer-driver Jason Ainsworth when five-year-old mare Story To Tell captured the $20,000 World’s Best Hoof Oil Pace at Bendigo on Saturday night.
Story To Tell began smartly from gate four to start the 1650-metre dash.
In a neat piece of driving, Ainsworth was able to switch down to the pegs, hard on the back of the leader and $2.90 favourite Jilliby Willow with Lochie Cook aboard.
The mare travelled kindly and with the benefit of a soft trip, finished strongly along the sprint lane to lead with 100m to go. The mare went on to score by 1.20m in a rate of 1.53.7.
Ainsworth has done a great job with the daughter of Roll With Joe, USA through her short career — from her fifth place on debut at Horsham in November 2021 to a game third in the $130,000 Vicbred four-year-old mares final at Melton on New Year’s Eve. Hoffman enjoys spending hands-on time with his mare at the Ainsworth stable and, to date, is rewarded with five wins, eight minors and a bank of more than $50,000 from 25 starts.
Strong start for Exell
Horsham owner-trainer Janet Exell has started the year with two wins in five days.
Exell’s eight-year-old trotter Show Me The Moolah saluted at Boort on Tuesday while stablemate It’s A Good Feeling scored at Ballarat on Friday.
With regular reinsman David Murphy in the sulky at Boort, Show Me The Moolah made a usual safe beginning from the 30m handicap and made his ground to tack on at the bell.
The race changed complexion with 600m to go when the leader galloped and Christmas Babe, with Shannon O’sullivan, dashed clear and Show Me The Moolah was in hot pursuit.
Proving too strong in the final stages, Show Me The Moolah went on to score by nine metres in a rate of 2:04.1 for the 2250m journey.
Exell bred the gelded son of Allawart Ray, and raised, educated and has trained the trotter throughout his career — from third on debut at Stawell in March 2018 to his record that now reads 78 starts for 10 wins, 19 minors and $70,244 in prizemoney.
Murphy’s son Declan was aboard It’s A Good Feeling and the combo controlled their Ballarat contest throughout after claiming the lead at the start of the 1710m trip.
Murphy set an even tempo throughout the journey and untroubled at the head of affairs, It’s A Good Feeling raced away in the final stages to score by nine metres in a rate of 1:58.6.
After a frustrating run of 12 minor placings, It’s A Good Feeling broke through for Exell in Maiden Pace at Swan Hill in September.
Eight starts later and the mare has posted her second win — and hopefully number three is not too far off.