Goulburn trainer Matthew Dale notched his 25th win in the TAB Highway series when Super Norwest took out last Saturday’s Class 3 edition over 1400 metres at Rosehill.
Despite having drawn barrier 14 in the 16-horse field, in-form apprentice Braith Nock was able to settle the mare just off the pace before driving her to lead in the straight then holding off the late challenge of three-year-old filly Antilocapra to win by a short head, with Salute Again a length and three-quarters away in third place. 
“I thought I was really switched off during the run and was just really happy with the rhythm and the spot that we got,” said Nock, who went on to complete a treble. 
“The tempo was genuine enough. That’s why she was so relaxed. 
“Coming to the bend there, I just hit a bit of a flat spot but once she got out and had something to chase, she really fought hard.” 
Super Norwest, who started $5.50 favourite, now has four wins from 19 starts, meaning she is no longer eligible for TAB Highways, which are run at Class 3 level or below.
This was her second Highway win for Dale, who scored his first win in the series with Shadow Affair at Canterbury on November 7, 2015.
Black type for Mack
Saturday was even bigger for Mudgee trainer Mack Griffith, who saw his smart five-year-old gelding Compelling Truth win the listed Hinkler Handicap (1200m) at Eagle Farm.
It was the gelding’s 12th win from 24 starts but he was largely ignored by punters, easing from $14 to start at $17. 
With apprentice Bailey Wheeler in the saddle, the winner scored by a half-length from the favourite, Need Some Luck, with Appin Girl a neck away in third place. 
Bronte goes bang
It was also a memorable weekend for four-kilo claiming apprentice Bronte Simpson.
Simpson started the weekend with one win under her belt from 16 rides, but quadrupled her tally over the weekend. She rode a double at the Walgett non-TABs on Saturday, taking the opener on Soho Coco ($4.20) for Dubbo’s Michael Lunn and the Walgett Cup on Awesome Tycoon ($6) for Armidale trainer Jane Clement, then followed up at Sunday’s Coonamble Cannonball meeting with a win on Sneaky Sofia ($3.20) for Wyong-based Damien Lane. 
Simpson shared riding honours at Walgett with Shayleigh Ingelse, who also rode a double. 
At Narrandera on Saturday afternoon another four-kilo claimer, Alice Kennedy, impressed with a double of her own.
On Monday at Tamworth, Aaron Bullock took riding honours with a winning treble while Mikayla Weir rode a double. 
At the Albury meeting the same afternoon, Mitch Aitken and Nick Heywood fared best of the jockeys with a double apiece.
Aaron off to a flyer
At Muswellbrook last Friday Aaron Bullock rode the first three winners to take riding honours, while apprentice William Stanley rode a double, both wins coming for Scone trainer Cameron Crockett. 
On a program full of exciting finishes, the winning margin in seven of the eight races was a long neck or less. 
At Goulburn the same afternoon, Keagan Latham fared best of the riders with a winning double. 
His winner in the second race, the 1100-metre benchmark 66, was Vella’s Best, who started the $3.30 favourite and won impressively by 3¼ lengths to take his record to two wins from four starts.
It’s worth noting the three-year-old’s name as he is trained at Canberra by Gratz Vella, whose previous good horses have included 2011 Black Opal winner You’re Canny.
Get to Garah
Saturday sees the Talmoi Amateur Picnic Racing Club conduct its annual race meeting, featuring the 1400-metre Talmoi Picnic Cup. The Talmoi races are run at Garah, just south of the Queensland border and 50km from Moree.
Sunday’s main action is at Wagga, where there’s a $50,000 Super Maiden (1400m), the $27,000 Winter Sprint (1000m) and a 2000-metre heat of the Wagga Stayers Series. Sunday is also Grafton Cup Preview day at Murwillumbah.   
On Monday they’re racing at Narromine and Scone.