Julie Maughan's Raceday Report Sunday 2nd October 2016 - Wins for Hunter Valley Trianers

WINS FOR HUNTER VALLEY TRAINERS

Hunter Valley trainers Stacey Elliott and Jamie Bond headed home as winning trainers at the season opener for the Tamworth HRC.

Elliott who is based at Keinbah won with Cody Shannon while Maitland based Bond had a back to back training feat with Ultimate Ace.

Maddie Bond drove Ultimate Ace to perfection to take out the Global Bloodstock Trophy Pace and also gain The Pub sponsored Drive of the Day.

The win was certainly a family affair with Ultimate Ace raced by Kristy Bond trained by husband Jamie, driven by daughter Maddie whilst younger sister Aleisha accepted the trophy.

"He has been going good lately" added 18 year old Maddie Bond after the win "I use to work him out at Michael Formosa’s and Mick wanted to clear a few horses out so we brought him – the best thing we have ever done"

Ultimate Ace was making it back to back wins after a win at Newcastle ironically named the Michael Formosa Pace – Ultimate Ace’s former owner and trainer - two weeks prior with Jamie Bond in the spider.

"He has been going good for us" added Jamie Bond of the Modern Art-Sheb Ace gelding "we have had him since January and that is his third win for us"

Ultimate Ace has also produced four placings for the Bond family from 15 starts.

Local pacer Fivestar Wally (Peter Missen) led the field in the Global Bloodstock Trophy Pace with Miss Catalina (Ricky Gordon) racing out in the breeze whilst Maddie Bond had Ultimate Ace posted four back in the outside running line.

"I was happy to be racing four back as there was nothing much you can do from the eight barrier" added Maddie Bond.

With the bell sounding in the background Bond headed up the three wide line for the final lap before coming away for a 2.9 metre win over Queensland pacer Miss Catalina and Dreamy Shannon (Nathan Carroll) 4.2 metres away third.

"I took off at the bell and let him [Ultimate Ace] work up to the front – he is very tough like that" added Maddie Bond "He can’t sprint with them so you have to slowly work him around the field"

Meanwhile trainer Stacey Elliott enjoyed seeing Cody Shannon back in the winner’s circle after taking out the Graham Moon Plumbing Pace with Nathan Carroll accepting the drive.

The Dawn Ofa Newday – Caroline Shannon gelding had his last win at Newcastle back in June with Elliott racing the seven year old gelding in partnership with her husband Marty.

"He goes good this horse" said reinsman Nathan Carroll "and he has got a good sprint on him and that is what got us home".

Dontbefoolish (Stacey Weidemann) led the field with Cody Shannon four back in the outside racing line.

Carroll switched five wide to race around the final bend before coming away for a 3.4 metre win over Dontbefoolish and Yap Yap Yomax (Peter Missen) a head away third.

"I am happy with the little fella" added Carroll.

Julie Maughan