Goldfields: Drought over, Reward rolls on
By Ben Sporle, August 22, 2017 - 9:34 AM

After a 29-month drought, Bendigo gelding Destiny’s Reward is on a roll.
Jockey Ryan Hurdle took his record on Destiny’s Reward to three rides for two wins when they combined to take the Congratulations Bounty Belle BM64 Handicap (1000m) at Mildura last Friday.
The win followed a benchmark 64 victory over 1100 metres at the same track on the last day of the old season — the first win for Destiny’s Reward since his debut success as a two-year-old colt under Darren Gauci in February 2015.
Settling behind the speed in last week’s small field from an inside gate, Destiny’s Reward ($3.30) quickened nicely in the straight to put the result beyond doubt, notching a 1¼-length victory over race favourite French Rock.
“The (Brian Gentle) stable has a big opinion of this horse and he’s raced in much stronger company but I think we’re learning more and more and hopefully he can keep going,” Hurdle said.
Destiny’s Reward, who was placed in town early on, is by Reward for Effort from Palace de Lago, making him a full brother to gentle’s last-start winner Destiny’s Revenge.
The win was Gentle’s fourth since July 17, with the eight-hour round trip to Mildura producing three of those wins. 
This season is Gentle’s fourth in Bendigo since relocating from New South Wales.
Grinzing gets the cash
Awake In Grinzing’s career in the care of Bendigo trainer Kym Hann began in the best fashion possible when he won on debut for the stable in the final event at Echuca on Monday.
The gelding was sent out an odds-on favourite, coming off a second placing on July 23 at his last start for Flemington-based Danny O’Brien. 
Ridden by Anthony Boyd (three winners for the stable since June), the son of Rip Van Winkle settled behind the speed and justified his short quote, scoring by 2½ lengths, with fellow Bendigo galloper Solar Bravo finishing third, also on debut for a new trainer in Anne Maree Curran.
“I think the drop back in grade for confidence was ideal and he has plenty of upside,” Boyd later tweeted.
“I hope he pulls up okay after knuckling at the 600 metres and laying out in the straight because there is plenty of improvement.”
The triumph was the four-year-old’s first since scoring on debut at Sandown in July 2016 and made up for the stable’s narrow defeat with Inner Strength in last Saturday’s Narrandera Cup. 
Hann is the only Goldfields trainer with multiple wins to his name in the first month of the new season.
Grangers in form
Sutton Grange trainers enjoyed a successful day at Echuca on Monday, starting in the first with the Brent Stanley-trained As It Lies ($2.90). 
The Foxwedge filly was dominant, leading all the way to score by 3¼ lengths, after weighing in behind Crown Witness in town at her prior two runs.
At the other end of the experience scale, into his eight-year-old season and at start 88, the Paul Banks-trained Mr Cooley ($9.50) returned to the winners stall under Lucinda Doodt. 
Mr Cooley had finished runner-up in three of five starts since a Kilmore win in May
His earnings are now up to $150,673.
Screen gem
The Bendigo Jockey Club last week revealed a $320,000 big screen will be installed at the course in time for Jayco Bendigo Cup day on November 1.
The permanent 59-square-metre structure will be part-funded by the Victorian Racing Industry Fund. The BJC and VRIF will contribute $160,000 each.
“The BJC is continually striving to enhance the raceday experience of all our key stakeholders and we strongly believe this exciting project will play an integral role in achieving this,” BJC CEO Aaron Hearps said.
For comparison, Sportsbet-Ballarat’s recently installed screen measures 36 square metres.

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