Mark Lowe's Race Day report Thursday 7th August 2014

NEW TRACK RECORD, TREBLE & DOUBLE

Local 5yo Leighmont (Village Jasper-Blue Moon Navajo) returned to form in setting a new track record for 2730m at Tamworth last Thursday in the ATAC Marathon Prelude. The gelding who is owned and trained on the track by Ken Natty, made an early move to the "death-seat" from outside the second row before obtaining a perfect trail. Hunter Valley driver Peter Hedges was left without cover at the bell and rolled to the lead with 500m to go and the $4.30 third favourite held off all challengers to record 3.28.9 ( a rate of 3.03.1). This took 1.7 seconds off the 1999 mark set by Shipps Fire. A winner of 11 from 61 Leighmont will now contest the $8000 ATAC Marathon over 3110m on Monday August 18.

Driving honours for the 9 race TAB card on a warm winter afternoon went to Lola Weidemann from Clifton in Qld with a treble, all trained by her sister Julie. Their first winner was in the Northern Inland Credit Union Pace 1609m with 5yo Itaintrocketscience ( Falcon Seelster-Emms Ok). Taken back at the start, the $2.80 favourite was last on the pegs with 600m to travel. When the other two fancied runners, No Confession & Our Orville became entangled wide out, Lola angled for an opening that came along the pegs in the shadows of the post to score in a 3 way photo in 2.00.6. The winner is owned by Gunnedah trainer/driver Sally Torrens and Lola's efforts earned her The Pub Drive of the Day. The Weidemann's double was less dramatic when 4yo Call Me Spartacus(Bettors Delight-Bryleigh Miss) led from gate 3 in the TAB Rewards Pace 1609m and was untroubled in scoring by 5 1/2m as a $1.30 hot favourite in 2.00.1.
The treble was completed in the $6000 Tamworth 2YO Sapling Stakes 1609m with gelding Chumlee ( Somebeachsomewhere-Armbro Sharon). The $3.90 favourite drew outside the second line and trailed stablemate Ghost Gum up three wide 850 metres out before launching four wide at the 400m to win easily by 14m in 2.01.2. His career earnings are now $13500  from 3 wins in 13 starts for the Cluse family who also race Call Me Spartacus.

Leading Moonbi driver Dean Chapple piloted a double to wrap up the Harness Racing Travelworld Tamworth Drivers' Premiership on 35 wins with one meeting left in the 2013/14 season. Chapple scored on his trained colt Feelgood Tonite (Mr Feelgood-Tango Tonite) in the first race, the TAB App.Pace 1609m. The $3.40 equal favourite enjoyed a sit behind the leader throughout and only had to make a winning move at the top of the straight to score by 5m in 2.03.6.
Chapple then had to wait until the last, Race 9 the August 18 ATAC Marathon 3110m Pace 1980m to make it a double when 3yo Kemira Cause (Ifihadyourluck-Cause A Scene) led all the way. The gelding won his 5th race this season from 19 starts for trainer Ian Mabbott. It was also a double for the veteran Tamworth mentor having won the Kel Penfold Finance Pace 1980m with 3yo Mithrys Magic (Ifihadyourluck-Scoot On La Belle). The $5.80 second elect was taken back from inside the second row by Anthony Varga before surging three wide from the bell to prove too tough in win number 5 from 18 career starts for nearly $20000 in stakes for owners John & Noelene Varga.

The $8000 K & S Black & Co Competitive Stakes Gold Series 1609m had the Narrabri combination of father/trainer Garry Shepherdson and son/driver Chris successful with 5yo Will Thrill (Grinfromeartoear-Thrill Me). The mare went forward three wide from gate 5 to eventually lead and then proceeded to deny her rivals by 5m in 2.01.3. The honest pacer had not won for 15 months, however, had recorded 12 placings from her previous 29 runs this season. Career statistics are now 78 starts for 11 wins & 24 placings for nearly $50000 in prizemoney.

Hunter Valley 4yo Donna Its Bella (Washington VC-Clusone) led most of the 1980m journey in the Australian Training & Consulting Pace to score her first Aussie win since crossing the "ditch". The problem mare is trained & driven by Clayton Harmey and was $1.90 favourite.

Tamworth race next on Monday afternoon August 18 with the $8000 ATAC Marathon 3110m as the feature on the track and for the patrons there is the Longyard Golf Great Chip-Off Final with the season's round winners aiming at the title of Champion Chipper & prizes from the Longyard Golf Course & Thorny's Putt Putt, plus the race book tipping competition sponsored by bookie Peter Jackson has jackpotted to $1250.