Central Victoria: Powell breaks drought with tough Jake
By Paul Egan, June 22, 2021 - 10:38 AM

After a frustrating run of second placings for Kilmore trainer Hanna Powell, Just Jake changed her luck with an impressive win at Bendigo on Sunday.
The Reward For Effort four-year-old, forced to cover ground due to his outside barrier draw, was still too strong in taking out the $35,000 Budget Bendigo Car & Truck Rental BM64 Handicap over 1400 metres.
Ridden by Dylan Dunn, Just Jake ($6) defeated Wave Reviews ($31) by two lengths with $1.60 favourite Livingstone Falls a further three-quarters of a length away third.
Prior to the gelding’s win Powell has been beaten into second place with four of her 12 starters since winning with Porky Pine at Kilmore in February.
Dunn conceded after dismounting that it hadn’t been ideal racing four wide without cover.
“We had a terrible gate today and I’m surprised she (Powell) didn’t scratch, but she obviously had faith in the horse going well,” he said.
Powell races the gelding with her husband, former Fitzroy (VFL) footballer Ian Powell.
Just Jake, who was strapped by promising picnic apprentice Tyson Barton, now has four wins, seven seconds and two thirds from his 21 starts.
Shades suit Sestillia
Kilmore trainer Alicia Macpherson pulled the right rein by putting the blinkers on Sestillia at Donald last Saturday.
Solidly backed ($7.50-$6), the four-year-old Shooting To Win mare was a narrow but decisive winner of the Mackays Family Jewellers 0-58 Handicap over 1204 metres.
Ridden by Jake Noonan, the mare defeated the Tahlia Hope mount Toojay ($6.50) by a head with Getonit ($7) a further 1½ lengths away third.
The mare had put the writing on the wall at Kilmore last month when backed from $21-$14 and beaten into second place by Adki.
Previously trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, the mare was having her ninth start for Macpherson, who races the mare in partnership with stable clients.
Sestillia has now won two races with two minor placings from 13 starts overall.
Bainbridge goes bang
Kyneton trainer Liam Howley produced a smart one in Bainbridge ($4.80) first up at Geelong last Friday.
The former private trainer for the Williams family at Macedon Lodge went out on his own late last year.
Bainbridge, a five-year-old gelding by Rebel Raider from Kilkanoon, was having for his first run for Howley, having raced last in May 2020 in the care of Patrick Payne.
Punters had faith in Howley’s ability to have the gelding ready for 1715 metres off a 13-month break in the $35,000 Roderick Insurance Brokers Maiden Plate, sending him out a solid second favourite.
Ridden by in-form apprentice Josh Richards, the gelding was allowed to settle prior to going to the lead early in the race. Given his head on straightening, he kicked right away to defeat $3.30 favourite Henry The Lion by 5½ lengths with Artisan Lass ($6.50) a further 1¼ lengths away third.
Bainbridge was having only his second start.
Dyer off mark in Darwin
Kyneton trainer Neil Dyer kicked off his annual Top End trip with a win at Fannie Bay last Saturday.
On his 13th trip, Dyer saddled up Teng Hui Feng Li ($2.80 favourite) for a nice win in the Pitch Perfect 26 June Handicap (1600m).
The three-year-old Dundeel gelding, ridden by Stan Tsaikos, defeated Stone ($13) and Nashwah ($19).
“It was a nice win as he was a maiden in a 58er,” Dyer said.
Teng Hi Feng Li was formerly in the hands of Mitch Beer.
The gelding, part-owned by Dyer, was having his sixth start.
“I’ve brought 12 up this trip and they all have settled in well. Kaonic is my Cup horse this year,” Dyer said.
Kaonic, a six year-old Savabeel gelding formerly trained by Chris Waller, has had one run at Fannie Bay for Dyer.

 

 

 

 

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