Well-bred harness racing three-year-old pacer The Village Sneak broke through for her first win with an emphatic all-the-way victory in the Crown Lager Pace over 2200 metres at Luxbet Racing Centre in Tasmania.
With leading reinsman Gareth Rattray aboard, the Michael Laugher-trained filly stepped straight to the front and when she was pressured by the favourite Sea Sky in the home straight she dug deep and refused to wilt and went on to score by 1.2 metres from the favourite with outsider Freds Under
Fire a closing third 5.4 meres away.
The Village Sneak is by Village Jolt from the Courage Under Fire mare Im Sneaky.
She went into the race having been placed only once from five tries but this win will do her confidence the world of good and she can only improve as she goes forward.
Outside of the winner the most encouraging run in the race belonged to third placed Freds Under Fire that dropped off when the leaders sprinted but under strong driving from his driver Craig Hayes he made up good ground over the concluding stages to place third.
The gelded son of Courage Under Fire has his sire's conformation but he also might have inherited a bit of his heart and will to win.
Freds Under Fire is definitely one to follow over the coming months.
Peter Staples