Golden run by Silver Spoon
The excitement of victory for Virginia owner-trainer Phil Westbury was obvious at Globe Derby Park on Saturday.
Westbury, 72, charged from the top of the mound near the BOTRA pavilion to the outside home straight fence near the winning post urging his trotter Silver Spoon to a first up victory.
Silver Spoon ($21 into $17) led throughout in the Ladbrokes Odds Surge Trotters Mobile (2230m) for driver Michael Smith to score a three-metre win from Beware The Fury ($10) with Rohaan ($2.80), a similar margin away third.
The race was a heat of a $14,000 Final to be conducted at Globe Derby Park this Saturday, August 30.
Silver Spoon showed excellent speed to spear to the lead from gate two, and despite tending to race fiercely, was never really challenged to score well.
Westbury could be heard urging the five-year-old mare during the race, but then on the final lap, as she looked to be in control, he made the dash down to the fence to salute her win.
The victory did not surprise the veteran trainer.
“When Kerry first worked Silver Spoon she came back and said the mare was quicker than our pacers,” Westbury said.
“She was one of three horses I picked up from the dispersal of the horses which had been trained by Luke O’Neill.
“The owner wanted to lease her out, but I prefer to own our horses, and I was able to pick her up for $4000. Kerry and I purchased her along with by granddaughter Tahlia Smith.
“Silver Spoon picked up $2528 for tonight’s win so she already is well on the way to paying for herself.”
The mare was having her first start for Westbury with her last run being a third at Kilmore in Victoria on July 17.
Interestingly, it was her 57th start and all have been in mobile races, so she has yet to qualify for a stand start.
Smith had a tough drive on Silver Spoon with the mare wanting to charge and race keenly with the result she was able to record quarters of 30.7, 30.8, 30.1 and 31.8 seconds for the last 1600 metres.
Her mile rate was 2:02.4 which compared with the 2:04.6 recorded by Janes Gem in the Ladbrokes Quick Multi Trotters Mobile (2230m) which was heat two later in the night.
Janes Gem, trained at Penfield by Ingrid Smith and driven by her husband David, left it late to grab victory.
Reinsman Josh Holberton, drove a perfectly rated front-running drive on Dreams Of Love ($21) but Janes Gem ($8.50) finished powerfully up the home straight to score by a head for Gawler owners Jamie Braidwood and Chris Dix.
Twixten ($16) was four metres away third.
It was the 12th win for the mare since being purchased from Victoria.
The stage is now set for an exciting final this Saturday with the barrier draw expected to be crucial.
Bishop George returned to the winning list in the other square gaiter’s race, the Fast As The Wind USA @ Wingate Farm Trotters Handicap (2230m).
Driven by Wayne Hill, the four-year-old, a $4.40 chance, settled second before finishing strongly to score a half head win from front runner Icicle ($10) with Cyclone S Adams ($16), 1-1/2 metres away third.
Trainers Jill Neilson and Katie Wilson explained Bishop George would unlikely go on to the heights they had hoped when he was a three-year-old.
“He has got his share of issues,” Neilson said.
“He has a therapist out every day to give him a back massage.
“Bishop George also had problems with ulcers, but we are getting on top of them.”
Trainer Ryan Hryhorec had the two most fancied runners in the race Ebony’s Avenger ($2.10 fav) and Used To Be A Maid ($3.40) which both came off a 30-metre handicap.
Ebonys Avenger flew the start but galloped after 100 metres losing valuable ground while Used To Be A Maid galloped at the start losing any winning chance.
- Graham Fischer
- Photo Walter Bulyga