Gawler-based training partners Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor are starting to reap the benefits of hard work, with a double on the Parks track at Morphettville last Saturday capping a run of eight winners from 15 runners for the month of March.
They brought up their first winner at the Parks meeting when Dubai Focus ($2.40 favourite) led all the way in a Class 2 handicap over 1400 metres, giving jockey Jason Holder the second leg of a double.
Bain and Taylor scored again with Pacific Jewel ($7) in 0-62 grade over 1550 metres, the Universale Ruler mare running on from midfield under apprentice Taylor Johnstone.
The result was a good one for West Australian owner Gerry Willis, who not only owns Pacific Jewel but also the runner-up, the Travis Doudle-trained Beautiful Jewel.
Earlier, Holder landed the first leg of his double when Enuff Seduction ($3.80) came from midfield to win a benchmark 66 handicap over 1000 metres for Strathalbyn’s Shayne and Chelsea Cahill.
Honeymoon purchase pays
Jessica Tzaferis added another feather to her cap when six-year-old gelding Royal Fox ($26) became her first winner as a trainer in the benchmark 68 over 1400 metres.
Formerly trained by Reece Goodwin at Pakenham, Royal Fox was bought online for $4000 during the Tzaferis honeymoon (see Matt Stewart’s story on page 2).
Royal Fox had his first SA start at the Kangaroo Island Cup carnival last month, where he was ridden by apprentice Polly Brewster.
This time his trainer was in the saddle as Royal Fox came from last to win in strong fashion.
Dual joy
Murray Bridge trainer Peter Hardacre was the most relieved trainer at Morphettville last Saturday when his charge Dual Fuel won her first race in 391 days, taking the 2250-metre benchmark 68 handicap.
Guided to her fifth win from 34 starts by the in-form Rochelle Milnes, Dual Fuel came from a midfield position.
Adding to the pressure on Hardacre, the mare was backed in from $2.80 to start a $2 favourite. There was little cause for concern, however, as Dual Fuel rounded up her rivals in the seven-horse field and strode clear to score by three lengths.
Dex gets up in Kimba Cup
Ben Price took the riding honours at Port Lincoln last Sunday with a treble, winning on Shinohara ($5) for Brian Lear in a 1750-metre maiden plate, Alcannable ($3.80) for Tony Haddy in a 1210-metre benchmark 72 handicap and Mahemo ($3.80) for Byron Cozamanis in a 1350-metre maiden plate.
The day’s feature, the Kimba Cup (1960m) went to the Cozamanis-trained I’m A Dexstar ($3.70), who got up in the last stride under Callan Murray to beat I Need a Drink in the fourth heat of the Bill Holland series.
The fifth heat will be run this Saturday, the Streaky Bay Cup (1800m) highlighting the iconic once-a-year meeting at the Eyre Peninsula track.