Strathalbyn Races Report

Sunday, 15 January 2012 13:00

Scratched from Morphettville last Saturday Fast Frank gave mentor Daniel Clarken and his apprentice Lauren Stojakovic a two and three quarter length victory in the Perri Cutten Strathalbyn Cup which was run over 2050 metres at the Strathalbyn Racecourse on Sunday.

A $5.50 chance when the starter released the field the Nicklemine fathered Fast Frank, from the Kingston Mill mare Yuppeckiar Lady, settled well and, maintaining a forward position, went on to claim the Cup over Woodland Jack $10 for the combination of trainer Richard Jolly and rider Jason Holder.

The Sam Turner and Dominic Tourneur supplied Luvbite $9 was a farther half length away third.

Describing his charge as a good bread and butter galloper from 1600 to 2050 metres Clarken said that Fast Frank may be aimed at the Alice Spring Cup which will run over 2000 metres early in May.

Fast Frank's win brought up a century of wins for Lauren Stojakovic who had won the previous race on Little Akie. Stojakovic said after winning the premier Strathalbyn event, "I thought I had the Cup won at the 600 metre mark as he was going so well."

In a desperate finish with several horses in contention with 100 metres to go Little Akie $3.70 gave Strathalbyn trainer Brian Mueller a short head win in the sixth event which was contested over 1350 metres.

Owned by Mueller's wife Lorraine and having the services of Lauren Stojakovic the Akhadan sired Little Akie, from the Blevic mare Double Spirits, settled well and went on to beat the David Jolly prepared Justin Potter piloted Magnificat $21.

Verco Road $3.80 was a farther half neck away third for Dion Koch and Matthew Neilson and completed a trifecta for the Strathalbyn course.

Mueller said after the race, "I will give Little Akie a short let up of three weeks and will then pick out a nice race for him in Adelaide."

Facing the starter for the first time and then having to survive a protest Sparkling Bella $5 gave her trainer David Jolly and rider Simon Price a half length victory in the opening event of 1100 metres.

A Gonski three year old filly from the Bubble Gum Fellow mare Della Leonessa, Sparkling Bella led throughout and beat the $1.60 favourite Belleap for trainer Shane Oxlade and rider Justin Potter, making the result of the first race a local quinella.

Delphere $7 was another long head away third for Sam Burford and Troy Baker.

Jockey Simon Price brought up a race to race double when Uli Urs Utz scored a long neck win for Strathalbyn trainer Greg Lesnikowski in the 1200 metre second race.

A Blevic sired six year old gelding from the Zabaleta mare Soliciteuse, Uli Urs Utz $7.50 came from mid field and beat the Paul Seater prepared Justin Potter ridden Brimarvi Magic $6 giving Potter second place in the first two races.

Love a Giggle $4.60 came from well back to gain third placing, three quarters of a length away, for local trainer Brian Mueller and rider Adrian Patterson.

The combination of Oakbank trainer John Dunn and rider Adrian Patterson tasted success when Fantastic Reign scored a three quarters of a length win in race three which was contested over 1600 metres.

Starting at $6 the Fantastic Light sired Fantastic Reign was well placed and powered home to defeat Formosa Blues $4 for Heather and Kevin Frew and Dominic Tourneur who returned to the saddle following a three and a half month lay-off due to injury.

Hendon $7 was a farther length away third for Michael McClean and Todd Pannell.

Sharing equal favouritism at $4.20 with the second placegetter Where's Tim, Straying Tiger gave local mentor Shane Oxlade a two and three quarter length win in the 1200 metre fourth event.

Having the services of Justin Potter the Tiger Hill sired Straying Tiger, from My Duchess a daughter of Royal Academy, defeated the Dion Koch trained Matthew Neilson ridden Where's Tim bringing up a Strathalbyn quinella.

The Joe Lockyer prepared Mark Pegus guided Zoom $8 was a farther three and a quarter lengths away third.

Having his third start for the Darryl Dodson's Telopea Downs stable and ridden to victory by Holly McKecknie God Help Us scored a two length win in race five which was run over 1600 metres.

From the Stravinsky mare By Any Means and sired by God's Own, God Help Us $2.70 was well positioned and beat Grand Group $7 for Ken Sweeney and his apprentice Tillie Neve.

Tarvon $10 was a long neck away third for John Dunn and Amy Herrmann.

Apprentice Tillie Neve guided the six year old Savvy Smokin' $11 to a half neck win in the 1350 metre final event for her master Ken Sweeney.

Sired by the English bred Savoire Vivre from the Aliocha matron Still Smokin', Savvy Smokin' was on the pace throughout the event and beat the Michael Hickmott trained Mark Pegus ridden Seventh Bullet $4.

Starting at $8 Glenburnie Dane was another six and a quarter lengths away third for Wally Bencic and Simon Price.