Kilmore trainer Tony Chibnall hasn’t set the bar too high for Rainbiel after the mare’s brilliant win at Swan Hill last Friday.
The four-year-old daughter of Toronado justified confident backing ($2.25-$1.70 favourite) by taking out the $50,000 BusBiz.net.au BM78 Handicap/Murray Mallee Sprint Final over 1200 metres.
Ridden by regular hoop Dean Holland, the mare defeated Yulong Storm ($9) by three-quarters of a length with Turbeau ($31) the same margin away in third place.
Rainbiel was racing for the first time since early May, having had no luck in two group races last campaign.
Luck didn’t come into the equation last Friday, with Holland positioning the mare perfectly behind the pace.
“I liked the way she settled under Dean,” Chibnall said. “He rode her a treat.
“I was stoked. She had the audacity to prick her ears with 50 (metres) to go. I was over the moon, not only happy for the horse but for the owners too — because of the pandemic I haven’t even met some of them.”
Rainbiel was a $10,000 purchase by Chibnall and long-time client Leon McDonald, at the 2019 Inglis Melbourne yearling sale.
Other part-owners include the trainer’s partner, Nadine Wertz, and her father, OKR-FM presenter Tony Wertz.
Chibnall said the mare would have her next start at the season’s first night meeting at The Valley on Friday week.
“There’s a nice benchmark 84 for her over 1200 metres,” he said.
The ultra-consistent mare has now won three races, with six minor placings (including a Group 3), from her 11 starts, earning $179,007 in prizemoney.
Back on track
Racing will resume this month at bet365 Park Kyneton and bet365 Park Kilmore after their winter hiatus.
Kyneton will resume this Tuesday, September 21, with Kilmore resuming the following Tuesday, September 28.
Seymour Racing Club is progressing well with its track works.