Mark Lowe's Raceday Report Thursday 22nd May 2014

 DAY OF LOCAL DOUBLES

It was a day of doubles at Tamworth last Thursday with driving doubles for Tamworth's Anthony Varga and Peter Missen, along with Moonbi's Dean Chapple, plus training doubles for local mentors Ian Mabbott & Tony Missen.

Anthony Varga kicked off the warm autumn afternoon with a win behind Wranglers Rockstar (Modern Art-Sorriso) in the Sky Sports Radio Pace 1980m. At his 12th start, the 5yo broke his maiden status. After racing one out & two back Varga brought the big gelding with a well timed four wide run over the last 400m to score by 2 1/2m for Werris Creek trainer Trevor Leonard. Varga's double came in the Equine Inn Pace 1980m when Big Tom Lombo (Village Jasper-Ally Cat Lombo) made it two wins from two local starts for trainer Ian Mabbott. The 3yo colt took off four wide at the bell but managed to get a breather down the back behind tearaway leader Louthparkbandit, before working home under vigorous driving for a narrow last few strides win in a rate of 2.02.1 at $3 favourite. Tamworth mentor Ian Mabbott rounded out his double, following on from a treble at the previous meeting, with 2yo Genas Delight ( Bettors Delight-Caught By Gena) who led all the way against older opposition in the $900 Jackpot Pacing Pick Pace 1609m. The small filly, a $2.30 favourite, was well rated in front by Dean Chapple for a 4 1/2m victory in 2.02.3.

Chapple then brought up his double in most emphatic fashion with ex-Kiwi mare Artsu (Elsu-Holly Holmes) in the TAB App.Ladyship Pace 1980m. The 4yo started a well supported $2.60 favourite at her first Aussie run and overcame a back row draw and sitting in the "death-seat" for the last 1000m to score in a rate of 2.01.2. Chapple has had plenty of success training former "ditch" hoppers, however, this was the first time he had won first-up with an ex-Kiwi and Artsu looks to be capable of many more by the ease of the 21m victory margin (and being lighlty assessed as a R1/C0).

The Tamworth combination of trainer Tony Missen and younger brother & driver Peter also produced a winning double, beginning with Blissful Atom (Blissful Hall-Delighful Soky) in the Longyard Golf Great Chip-Off Pace 1609m. The 4yo mare began quickly from the pole and led throughout to record her first local win, rating 2.01.5 at the surprisingly juicy odds of $14.60. Stablemate My Red Ruby (Dream Away-My Cherie) made it a double in the Racing June 5th, 19th & 29th Pace 1980m. In an open affair, the $3.70 favourite, who also drew the pole, raced behind the leader before getting out at the top of the straight. From there the 4yo mare rattled home three wide to score in the shadows of the post. For his efforts Peter Missen earned The Pub Drive of the Day Award.

Visiting Hunter Valley pacers took out the remaining two races. Modern Edition ( Modern Art-My Poplar Girl), a $1.20 "hotpot", easily won the TAB Rewards Pace 1980m for trainer Cameron Davies, driver Guy Chapple & Inverell owner Col Hobday. The inform 4yo gelding's last two successive wins have a combined victory margin of 50 metres. Nobbys Beach Boy (Jennas Beach Boy- The Nickel Queen), a $3.20 favourite, took out the TAB Lordship Pace 1609m for trainer/driver Kyle Pratten.

Tamworth race three times in June, starting on Thursday June 5th where the on-course race book competition, the Jackpot Pacing Pick (sponsored by local bookmaker Peter Jackson) will be worth $950.

Mark Lowe