Narobi shines at Gawler for Bain
Enigmatic mare Narobi was on her best form at Gawler with an outstanding win in the Lyndoch Motors Pace (2070m).
After drifting from $1.50 out to the $2.30 favourite, Narobi was taken straight to the front from gate five by reinsman Wayne Hill and kept running giving nothing else a chance.
The five-year-old mare, trained by Peter Bain scored by 30-1/2 metres from Rocknroll Raider ($5.50) with My Ultimate Harry ($7.50), 12 metres away third.
Narobi rated a quick 1:55.5 which was only 0.8 outside the track record held by former stablemate The Kapiti Express.
Trainer Bain would have felt the former New Zealand mare owed him a win after kicking him in the leg at a trial meeting last year.
Narobi was a brilliant first up winner at Globe Derby Park in September but in two subsequent runs as the $1.55, then $1.60 favourite, she could not be placed so Bain gave her a short break.
Rather than head to the trials, Bain decided to run today and his decision was justified.
Narobi is owned by Aaron Bain Racing, managed by the trainer’s son Aaron, who was delighted to see the mare back in form.
“She has talent and I think today showed the way to drive her,” Bain said.
“Wayne let her roll and I think she does her best when the speed is on.
“I’m sure she is good enough to go through the grades.”
ABR had a two-state double with first starter Signature Look winning at Maryborough.
Trained by Emma Stewart and driven by Kate Gath, Signature Look won the Vital Signs 3YO Maiden (1690m) rating an excellent 1:54.4.
Victorian reinsman Ryan Backhouse, 20, had a day to remember at Gawler driving four winners on the eight-race program.
So too did trainer Naomi Kerr who prepared a treble.
Backhouse won the opening event, the 1800-Got-Junk? Pace (1609m), on Sweet Arpeggio for Mallala trainer Ross Collins.
Sweet Arpeggio ($2.20 fav) led from gate one and raced away for an 18-1/2 metre win from Heza Steel ($6.50) with Secretsandlies ($3.50), a half-metre away third.
Collins said Sweet Arpeggio had ability but could be a handful.
“When she led today I knew she would be hard to beat. Hopefully, she can win again.”
Backhouse made it a winning double when Always On Safari was too strong in the Lowe Farms Farmgate Fodder Pace (1609m).
Trained in Birdwoodton, just outside Mildura, by Kerr, Always On Safari ($2.25 fav) sat parked before drawing clear to win by 2-1/2 metres from Laziest ($4.20) with General Rocker ($3.10), four metres away third.
The victory made it two from two for the four-year-old since joining Kerr’s stable after being purchased for just $7500.
Kerr said the win was a non-penalty win which helps her place the gelding going forward.
Backhouse and Kerr combined again in the Crestline Meats Pace (1609m) with Hooklineandsinker ($1.95 fav) which led throughout to score by eight metres from Gym Junky ($3.30) with Rooster Phillips ($16), a metre away third.
His fourth winner, and Kerr’s third, was with Royal Saxon in the Ladbrokes Quick Multi Pace (2070m).
Again, Backhouse was able to find the lead on Royal Saxon ($4.40) which proved too good for Emrites ($3.40) scoring by 7-1/2 metres with React To Beauty ($12), a metre away third.
The decision of trainer-driver Kevin Weidenbach to do border hopping between Victoria and South Australia is reaping rewards.
He did a great job after a late start to finish fifth on the SA Drivers premiership last year and came away with a Gawler driving double.
The Vicars Girl ($1.50 fav), which Weidenbach also trains, looked beaten on the home turn in the Podiatry Care Gawler Trotters Mobile (2070m) but “got off the canvas” to score by four metres from Hurricane Jane ($7.50) with Majestic Sunday ($2.50), a half-metre away third.
“She doesn’t handle the turns at all well,” Weidenbach.
“I knew when she got balanced in the home straight she would charge again.
“Today was her fifth win since coming across from Victoria – she has done a great job. And she could have had another win or two but for galloping.”
Weidenbach’s other winner was Ronzel Sonny for trainer Reece Moore in the Vale Brian Turner Pace (1609m).
Ronzel Sonny ($15) used the sprint lane to cut down the heavily backed Calculating Dancer ($3.20 into $2.20 fav) to score by a half neck with Nanna Helen ($6), three metres away third.
The other winner at the meeting was Buzz Bomb for trainer-driver Paul Cavallaro in the DF & E Kemp & Son Pace (1609m).
After settling well back, Buzz Bomb ($10) came with a strong run to win by four metres from Victory George ($3) with Avoca Blues ($9), 1-1/2 metres away third.
- Story Graham Fischer
- Photo Walter Bulyga