Classy Glengarry-trained mare Tranquil Miss could be in for her most lucrative campaign after resuming with a dominant victory last Sunday in the Pantac Protective Services BM70 Handicap (1400m) at Sale.
Now a seven-year-old, Tranquil Miss ($5.50) travelled beautifully just off a moderate speed, putting the race beyond doubt quickly when presented by Noel Callow early in the straight
Trainer George Doderico was delighted with his chestnut mare’s return.
“She’s come up a treat,” he said. “It was a very soft win and there’s still plenty of room for improvement. 
“The blinkers (first time) really helped her switch on and be more positive.”
Tranquil Miss, by Churchill Downs from Devil’s Tower, is raced by Doderico and his son Jack.
She has overcome plenty of adversity in her career, including a nasty tendon injury. She has now raced 23 times, her five wins and seven placings netting stakes of $121,820.
Callow was having his first race ride on Tranquil Miss, but did get a feel for the mare in a recent Moe trial (August 31).
“She trialled well on soft ground the other day,” he said. “She put them away easily today, made me look good. She’ll go through her classes.”
Callow made the trip to Moe trials to ride the promising local galloper Vainstream. 
The John Pascoe-trained four-year-old by Bel Esprit has raced six times for three wins, two placings and $65,570, earning his biggest cheque when third in the $150,000 VOBIS Gold Ingot at Caulfield in April. 
Ahead of him that day were Sam’s Image and Everest contender Nature Strip.
Tranquil Miss will target a mares race in Melbourne in the coming weeks.
Flo flies for Di
Lang Lang-based trainer Dianne Clover has her four-horse team in great form, with veteran mare Florence giving the popular horsewoman her second winner for the season last Saturday at Kilmore.
Third up over 1600 metres in 0-58 company, Florence ($26) was cleverly handled close to the speed by in-form Caulfield apprentice Teodore Nugent, proving too good for Arellano ($26) and Australind ($71). 
The trifecta paid $19,337.80 but the victory was no surprise to Clover.
“Her last two runs have been on the synthetic at Pakenham, and she’s not a fan,” the trainer said. “With the miles in the legs and getting back on a soft track, she ran up to her work.”
Now eight, Florence joined Clover as a three-year-old, after three starts with Mick Price at Caulfield. The daughter of Excites took 22 starts to break her maiden, but her connections have been rewarded for their persistence, her 76 starts yielding five wins, 17 placings and $112,576 in stakes.
Training of the Clover team alternates between the Pakenham Racing Club’s Tynong base (25 minutes from the stable) and the Monomeith AquaCiser (10 minutes away). Additional training is provided by a treadmill.
Clover dedicated Florence’s win to Melissah Buys, owner of the Monomeith AquaCiser, who died last week after a short illness. 
Consistent four-year-gelding Hawksmoor (16: 2-3-3 $28,810), a Donald winner on August 25, ran another honest race for Clover at Kilmore, finishing fourth after getting a long way back from a wide draw.
Also at Kilmore, Clover’s four-year-old mare Mississippi Grace (by Americain from Last Goodbye) ran a great first-up fourth in the Batten Foundation Maiden Plate (1450 metres), narrowly missing third as a $101 chance.
The trainer was delighted with the effort. 
“She's a dead-set 2400-metre horse and hit the line strongly,” she said. 
“Last prep was all about learning. She’s come back more mature now, but I think she’s still another 12 months away. Her mum was a city winner (three times).”
Clover trained her first winner, Bedarra Prince, in 1994 and Florence was her 95th. 
Always a force to be reckoned with on the picnic circuit, Clover has won multiple races in recent times with Rapid Thrill (seven wins), Brequillo (four), Joveda (four), Bitey Horsey (three), Vertigo (three) and To Cry For (three).