Near History for Westbury trainer Richard Stamford only took one run in Tasmania to find his feet and has now added two wins in the space of ten days.
This son of Black Enforcer owned in Victoria by Laurie Rounds had three starts in Melbourne and failed to run a place and Stamford admitted he didn’t expect too much of his new kennel tenant.
However he showed potential at his first win at Devonport beating Dilston Nugget on the line in a respectable 26.12 and last night tracked Hellyeah Flossie through the first section (5.13) and then took up the running through the second sectional beam (11.30) before sprinting away up the straight to win by 3 1/2 lengths from Vendor Bid and favourite Queen of Speed back in third a further 3/4 length away.
Stamford is hoping his charge will run the middle distance which will give him some more options in the lower grades as he builds more confidence.
Amazing Albert and Rewind completed doubles on the track in back to back starts and both were very impressive running BON 26.22 respectively.
Albert for Birralee trainer Lynden Nichols has shown he has the class to match in Invitation races and having won 7 from 20 he is starting to show the consistency that Nichols has been hoping for since he started setting blistering trial times early in his career.
Rewind for veteran trainer Maurie Strickland continues to consistently maintain his freakish career record of 73 starts for 45 wins and 20 placings and according to Strickland is on target to go one better in this year’s Hobart Thousand and he has stretched his winning tally at Hobart to six in a row.
Shepparton Cup winner Blackalls Boss for Lara trainer Michelle Mallia-Magri will be trialling between races next Thursday night as the countdown to the 2012 Hobart Thousand begins.
Story by Peter Hayes