News Briefs - July 20

Milestones for Team Dunn and Downbytheseaside

Triple G's win on debut at Addington on Sunday produced two notable milestones. It brought up win number 100 for the training combo of Robert and daughter-in-law Jenna Dunn, and it was also the first race winner in this country for sire Downbytheseaside. Triple G was a hot favourite after a four length win in his qualifier last month, paying just $1.70 for the win.

Negus goes 1-2

What a result for veteran trainer Bruce Negus at Addington on Sunday. Rated as the 15/15 outsider in the field the Negus-trained Shards Fury was off 20 metres but still produced a telling finish to win the Fahey Fence Hire Pace, paying $61.80 and $14. And the success didn't finish there. Stablemate Katherine was second, the stable quinella paying $140.

ID champion so close

It was almost a perfect return for Inter Dominion trotting champ Maori Law at Ballarat over the weekend. First-up from his latest injury setback and a long spell, Maori Law was beaten a whisker by Kiwi-bred mare Adelle in the Group 2 Jack Slack Memorial Trotters’ Cup (2200m). Adelle, trained and driven by Kerryn Manning, is by Orlando Vici out of Brylin Boyz mare Scusi Boyz.

The Wolf is back

Former Grand Circuit pacer Wolf Stride has sparkled in his return to winning form at Menangle. Second-up from injury and long spell, Darren Binskin trained and drove the six-year-old multiple Group 1 winner to a dominant win. Wolf Stride led and zoomed away to win by 10.3m in a slick 1min53.7sec mile rate for the longer 2300m trip.

Better eclipses the rest

Chariots Of Fire winner Better Eclipse grabbed another Group 1 win in the $150,000 Sunshine Sprint at Albion Park.Backing-up after a brave but well beaten second to the sensational Ladies In Red a week earlier in the Group 1 Rising Sun, driver Greg Sugars drove Better Eclipse with great confidence and “owned” the race. Once in front, Sugars “pinched” a 29.1sec third split and then ripped home in 26.8sec to beat Spirit Of St Louis (three pegs) by 1.7m with Turn It Up third. Another classy former Kiwi, Mach Shard, also ran a good race for fourth.

Auction closes tonight

The latest gavelhouse.com standardbred auction closes from 7pm tonight, with 29 lots up for sale. Among those attracting the most interest are race winners Sir Brigadoon, Desbois, Kiwitrix and Northview Peg as well as a Muscle Mass colt, Massive Merc.

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