Westbury trainer Michael Laugher took three horses to Tattersall’s Park (Hobart) on Sunday night and was rewarded with two winners. The outcome was about as good as it gets as two of his starters were in one race.
The first winner was the smart two year old Tony Macarony. A gelded son of Sealed N Delivered, Tony Macarony was a short priced favourite ($2.00) following a third to Heza Prospect in the $30,000 Dandy Patch Final (10 July) and second to Nitro Blue in the $10,000 Breeders Plate (24 July).
Driver Rohan Hadley settled Tony Macarony in the running line towards the rear of the field but moved three wide at the 1200 metre mark in response to a slow 66.6 first half. Hadley then proceeded to control the race from the three wide position and rolled to the front at the top of the straight and held off a late challenge from the handy filly Mon Soie.
Laugher will race Tony Macarony again this week at Launceston in an endeavour to improve on his imposing career record of three wins and two placings from seven starts.
“Tony Macarony has done a good job. He’s only had one preparation with a short two week break after his first run in April,” said Laugher.
“The weather is very ordinary and he will go for a well earned break after racing at Launceston on Sunday.”
Laugher backed up later in the program with Packedtotherafters and Binabell in the three year old and older non winners race. Packedtotherafters ($14.20) was having his eighth start this season and was positioned mid field in the running line by driver Ricky Duggan.
Packedtotherafters moved three wide at the 700 metre mark and got the better of Fierce Turbulence in the home straight to register his first win.
The colt is expected to continue racing for the next three weeks to try and win his second three year old race.
“After that (three weeks) he will get a break for a couple of months as he is tall behind and short in front indicating he is immature physically and needs time to fill out,” said Laugher.
By Life Sign out of the good producer Minerva Reef, Packedtotherafters was purchased for $10,000 by Michael Laugher and his sister Annette at the 2009 Tasmanian Premier Harness Yearling Sale.