In his first run for David Hunter since arriving from New Zealand, three-year-old gelding Bailey Major scored well after sitting one out and one back for Stuart McDonald at Bunbury last Tuesday week. The win was no surprise as he started a well supported $3.10 and $1.40 shot.
In the final event of the night Robert McKnight engaged Trent Wheeler for Dollars and Cents. Running first up the horse was impressive by facing the breeze and going on to a fine win, returning $17.10 for the win and $3.20 the place for his supporters.
Wheeler then had a good night in Albany the following Friday with a win and three seconds on some well supported pacers.
Nathan Dymock’s Red Tail led for second as a $1.20 place chance and All Jokes Aside paid a similar dividend when he faced the breeze for trainer Nathan Meade.
Mckinley sat behind the leader for Trent’s Dad, Brian, before running a sound second as a $1.60 place chance, while Snowball Mckenzie was a short priced $1.90 and $1.40 favourite in the final event when he scored for trainer Charlie Draper.
Possibly one of the most impressive runs was put in by the Wayne Justin’s stable star Mighty Flying Deal when he led for reinsman Jack before just going down to short priced favourite Eden Franco. He paid a place price of $2.50. The combination backed up in the New Year’s Eve Albany programme with a stirring win after facing the breeze as a $3.10 and $1.60 chance.
The stable also ran a third with Gunna Get Lucky who came with a good run, returning a place dividend of $4.80.
Brian Wheeler sent Mckinley to the stables of Andrew DeCampo while the family were in Tasmania over the long weekend and was rewarded when the gelding led all the way for Aiden DeCampo at Bunbury’s New Years Eve programme. He was well supported at $5.50 the win and $1.40 the place.
Call Me Ernie ran second for Bianca Ashcroft in Busselton on Boxing Night for a return of $1.80 with Ashleigh Markham in the bike while Morgan Woodley deputised for Trent Wheeler on Peter Hemsley’s Hillbilly Time in running a good second after breezing all the way.
He went around again on Tuesday in Busselton along with several pacers from the Ashcroft’s and Wallrodt stables, and will also be represented at the same track tomorrow night.
Albany’s Saturday night meeting will also see several Collie representatives and racing returns to Pinjarra on Monday afternoon.
