What an exciting conveyance four year old Artistic Fella/Marilyn Macray gelding Macterra Lad is – chalking up his 8th harness racing victory in only 13 outings by taking the Dimension Homes Pace for C5 & C6 class over 1710 metres at Bray Raceway Ballarat on Tuesday.
Bred by former Harness Breeders (Vic) Secretary Ian Kitchin, Macterra Lad trained at Bacchus Marsh by Alan Tubbs for Mount Gambier owner Michael McQuade and driven by daughter Amy Tubbs has developed into the ultimate racehorse after being so green in the early part of his career.
Starting from the pole, Macterra Lad showed plenty of speed as the mobile gate sped away, leading easily and from there on, the race became a procession.
Kicking clear halfway up the running, Macterra Lad scored virtually untouched by 3.5 metres over Crazy Dave (gate two) which trailed, with No Bettertime (four wide home turn from last) 1.5 metres away in third place. The mile rate 1-56.4 (last half 56.6 – quarter 27.7.
Macterra Lad should have no difficulty in going through the grades and is Cup class material.
Consistent five year old Blissful Hall/Childers Elite gelding Masterofthurles finally cracked it for a win when successful in the Creswick RSL Light Horse Troop Pace for C1 class over 1710 metres.
Trained in the Western District at Childers Cove by Ange McDowall, Masterofthurles driven by Matty Craven settled three back in the moving line from gate two on the second line, with Ducale Bromac (gate four) leading.
Moving forward three wide in the final circuit, Masterofthurles was inconvenienced on straightening when Royal Icing after coming off the back of the leader ran all over the place like a drunken sailor, however after regaining his composure, Masterofthurles out wide scored by a half head in a tricky finish from pole marker DoyouseewhatIsee along the markers from three back the inside. Khaleesi finish third from mid-field in the running line. The mile rate 1-56.1.
Lightly raced, Masterofthurles registered his second victory in 23 race appearances and first since February last year at Stawell.
The McDowall’s are related to the all conquering Craven family.
When Shelbourne (Bendigo) trainer Larry Eastman’s team hit their straps they are worth following and Village Jolt/Sunrose Mary gelding Sunrose Village broke his maiden status at start number four when greeting the judge in the T J Coutts Electrical 3-Y-0 Pace over 2200 metres, much to the delight of Nyah owner/breeder Robert Dacey.
Driven by Chris Alford, Sunrose Village led from gate three and was never out of second gear, coasting to the wire 3.1 metres in advance of Regal Ambition (three wide last lap from last) in a mile rate of 2-00.3. Chirpy Chuckles which followed the winner from the pole finished third.
Huntly (Bendigo) trainer/driver Anthony Crossland’s in-form Love You/Sun Goddess four year old gelding Dieu De Lamour snared the G & D Air Conditioning and Mechanical Trotters Mobile for T0 & T1 class over 2200 metres.
Enjoying a sweet one/one passage after being crossed from the pole, Dieu De Lamour sprinted sharply to lead on the home turn, defying all challengers to gain the day by 1.3 metres from Alabamas Invasion (three back the markers) and Girls Go First (one/three) in a mile rate of 2-03.2.
Len Baker
Harness Racing Victoria