It was was a case of ‘play it again’ at last week’s Shepparton trots meeting for Rochester harness racing trainer Mark Thompson.
Six days after Thompson produced Ideal Eagle and Weeks End for wins on the Shepparton track, he repeated the feat.
Both Ideal Eagle and Weeks End backed up from that meeting two weeks ago to again outclass their rivals at last week’s meeting on the track.
And as what happened the first time, both pacers were again driven by Bendigo horseman Todd Matthews.
Both Ideal Eagle and Weeks End were both the punters’ elect and paid $2.20 for their wins.
Ideal Eagle skipped over the 1690 metres in a 1.56.6 mile rate time, easily the quickest on the event card.
Ideal Eagle is a five-year-old American Ideal mare who has now saluted five times for Thompson since coming from New Zealand where she won once in 11 starts.
Weeks End was having just her eighth trip to the races for three wins, two seconds and two thirds.
She is a three-year-old by Jet Laag out of the Totally Ruthless mare Orta Be Ruthless, a winner 19 races and who has left two other winners.
It’s probably a safe bet Thompson is again scanning programs to find suitable races again for the two pacers. No doubt a Shepparton meeting is preferred.
While it was a big night again at last week’s meeting at Shepparton, it was even more satisfying for Matthews.
Not only did he rein the Thompson-trained pair to victories, he has also trained pacer Marine Parade to a win at the meeting.
Making his debut Marine Parade, a four-year-old by top sire Art Major was driven to victory by Haydon Gray and punters were well aware of his ability as he was a $1.50 favourite.
Marine Parade is a half brother to Philtra Phella a Life Sign gelding and a winner of 20 races. Both are from the Safely Kept mare, Philtra Girl.
by Campaspe News
Reprinted with permission of The Riverine Herald