Port Pirie harness racing trainer Dale Afford thought he might lose his good moneyspinner Sporty Mac when the gelding contracted a virus earlier this year.
Fortunately, the seven-year-old recovered with no ill effects and showed it last Friday night with a comfortable win in the Hopkins Saddlery Pace (1609m).
Solid in the market at $3.40, Sporty Mac was brilliantly driven by Aaron Bain to take the lead despite coming from a second row draw.
Once in front, Bain dictated as he liked to score a two and a half metre win from the fast finishing Armbro Speedstar ($3 fav) with Karalta Wizard ($6.90) a head away third.
“He has good gate speed and when we started there was a path through so I took it and I thought the lead would be up for grabs and it was,” Bain said.
“He settled well and I was able to get away with a really moderate second quarter (32.9) and he was always going to be hard to run down.”
Afford said Sporty Mac had been a good horse to connections.
“That was his ninth win for us since we purchased him at the beginning of last year,” Afford said.
“He was in good form but earlier this contracted a virus and I really thought we might lose him, but all is well now and he is back in form.”
Afford brought up a double when Cheersbigears ($4.80) led throughout to win the Lyn and Bronwyn Darrell Pace (1609m).
This time the trainer took the reins himself and came out quick from gate five to take the lead and win easily.
A $4.80 chance, Cheersbigears won by eight and a half metres from Begstealborrow ($3.30 fav) with Timansi ($5.40) a nose away third.
by Graham Fischer