Of the local connections racing in Collie last Sunday afternoon, Errol and Bianca Ashcroft took the honours.
In the opening event, the Club Hotel three-year-old pace Bianca’s Triple Brie ran on for second for Kyle Harper with Errol’s Catch Me Cougar rattling home for third place with Mitchell Miller in the bike behind the odds on favourite While They Pray which was Gary Hall junior’s first drive in Collie.
Triple Brie returned a place dividend of $1.80 and Catch Me Cougar $6.20.
In the Collie Concreting Pace, Euphoric Moment for Errol Ashcroft and Kyle Harper made a fast early move to lead and maintained that advantage throughout the race for a fine win as a $4.30 chance.
His place dividend of $3.40 was especially great value.
Earlier in the afternoon Brian Wheeler’s Empty The Till led for Trent Wheeler but was rundown in the run to the line by Andiamo Rusty for Dean Miller.
Rusty was a $3.20 shot with Empty The Till paying just $1.30 for the place.
The main race of the afternoon, the Joe and Margaret Suvaljko Memorial went to the $2 favourite Rum Delight who led for most of the journey for Ryan Bell and Deni Roberts despite being headed in the final lap before fighting back in the home straight.
Shannon Suvaljko sat behind Debbie Padberg’s $1.50 favourite Valdemar and was a winner after facing the breeze in the Davies Two Step Pace.
Chelsea Harding’s mare How Gouda She won her second race in a week by leading all the way for Dylan Egerton-Green in the Vandenbergh Veterinary Group Fillies and Mares event.
She was a $1.80 favourite and took the mare to the equal lead in the Horse of the Year Award for the Williams, Bridgetown and Collie Clubs. Dylan’s win was the first of a double for him which extended his lead in the Reinsperson’s Award.
Dylan’ second win came in the last event when Bettor Twisted flew home at good odds of $4.70 to win for trainer Sarah Suvaljko who is equal leader in the Trainers Award with Peter Tilbrook.
Tilbrook had two placings before his charge Tactile Sensation came with a charging run in the straight for reinsman Shannon Suvaljko to nose out Egerton-Green’s drive Budd Sidewinder.
He was a $3.30 chance in the Collie Tyre Power Pace.
The four winners Bettor Twisted, Tactile Sensation, How Gouda She and While They Pray added to their earlier wins in the season to be equal leaders in the Horse of the Year Award on eight points each with three meetings to go.
In Bunbury on Saturday evening Dale Jackson’s 3yo Watch Me React led early for Trent Wheeler before sitting behind the leader and favourite Gee Jay Kay, eventually running his fifth second in his last six starts!
Trent had a titanic battle with Cody Wallrodt in Albany on Friday night when Cody led on Charles Draper’s Aint Misbehavin before out staying Trent in the breeze behind Graeme Waters’ Avivo.
Aint Misbehavin paid a great $17.10 and $3.50 with Avivo at $1.50 the place.
Righteous Brother started a $2.10 and $1.90 favourite for Graham Cummins and Wheeler and was far too good for his rivals coming three wide throughout the final lap for a very strong win, and then in the final race Trent ran third behind Chers Magic Jet for Peter Fairless.
Krysty Foster proved to be the best tipster at Sunday's Trot meeting selecting the winners of races 2, 3, 4 and 5 to win the $250 Tote voucher in the Pick 4 competition but the Select the Order competition was not selected.
Eight-year-old Ella Burek was thrilled to win the bike.
Another bike and lots of other sporting goods will be given away at the next meeting on March 10.
Dani Hodge was this week’s winner of the Kalbarri Beach Resort prize with other prizes going to Andy Davison, Cassie Hayward, Marlyn Ashcroft and Narelle Michalak.
The punter had a better week this week and just missed out on the quaddie in the final event meaning we lost on the day.
With two meetings left to go the share value is $30.70.
