Julie Maughan's Raceday Report Thu 16 June - Paul Collins

COLLINS NEAR MISS AT TAMWORTH

Paul Collins headed to the Tamworth meeting with three horses and the trainer was so close to enjoying the raptures of three wins- but instead had to be content with a win and two seconds.

For Collins – a former resident of Warialda north of Tamworth many moons ago – he enjoys the drive up the highway to do battle on the Tamworth Paceway.

"I love coming back here" said Collins

The day was not far off commencing on a winning note for the Sawyers Gully stables but a half head stood in the way.

Velvets Dream driven by Peter Hedges was the first to step out for the stables and was beaten a half head by Our Sleeping Beauty (Guy Chapple) in the TAB Rewards Pace and Noble Victory (Warren Grainger) a head away third.

The Village Jasper-Aqua Velvet mare has had 14 race starts and was so close to her first win in the 1609m event.

Live Ripple NZ then brought the dream alive with a win in the Wests Entertainment Group Pace (1980m).

"It was a good draw and he (Live Ripple) has been running phenomenal times at Newcastle. He went 58 at the trials last week"

"I thought he would go good with just a bit of luck" added Collins with Live Ripple commencing from the two barrier.

With Manilla pacer Squiggymaguire (Courtney Sutherland) leading the field Live Ripple raced four wide as the field rounded the home turn on the final occasion to take the race by half a head over the fast finishing Archiecano (Lola Weidemann).

"Couldn’t fault Dan’s drive at all" said Collins "he couldn’t have driven him any better"

Live Ripple had a half head win over Archiecano and Kates Attitude (Sam Ison) 2 metres away third.

Dan Morgan’s exquisite drive behind Live Ripple was the first leg of a driving double for the Hunter Valley reinsman who also guided the Craig Clegg trained The Muse home for a win later in the day.

"He trialled pretty good at Newcastle last week so felt comfortable when we got the sit" said Morgan after the win of Live Ripple.

"Wasn’t sure if we had won as they were pretty keen (Archiecano) on the outside but knew we needed the post"

"It’s always a good trip for me up here – especially when I get a winner" added Morgan.

Collins then was biting the nails when his third contender for the day – Fuller A Cee – contested the Select Autoglass Pace.

Anna Bay Al (Guy Chapple) was heading the field as the bell sounded whilst Fuller A Cee raced three back on the marker pegs with the leader having a 15 metre gap on the field.

Julie Maughan