Restrained from gate six to settle with most of the field ahead of him, Brulea Charlie first up since October last, enjoyed the swift tempo of the race with several runners all going forward in the early stages.

Cruising up to the leaders three wide running into the final bend, Brulea Charlie left his rivals standing on straightening to score by a 19 metre margin over Son Of Pariel (one/two) and Strezlecki Ace which led in a mile rate of 2-00.9.

Trained at Lara by former employer Dean Braun, Leroy returned home only a matter of weeks back to commence a bricklaying apprenticeship while still keeping his driving licence active.

Long wait worthwhile

Ballan breeder/owner/trainer Paul Micallef was successful with 7-Y-0 Yentls Image/Bullengar Hanover entire Dundos Image in The Ad Group Trotters Handicap for T1 or better class over 2200 metres at Ballarat, paying Supertab odds of $22.90.

Driven by Bullengarook's Graham Lee, Dundos Image jumped straight to the front from the pole as the tapes released and allowed to bowl, ran his rivals ragged to register his first victory since September 2008, scoring from Golden Wahine which raced in the open and rank outsider Out All Night in a rate of 2-06.7.

Great night for Murphy

Dunnstown's David Murphy enjoyed a huge night on his home track, winning three of the eight races conducted, including two he trains himself - Four Wise Men and Safely Loaded, along with Rojen Dream for local trainer Robert McCartney.

Four Wise Men, a 4-Y-0 Armbro Operative/Medarlione gelding took out the Garden State Insurance Pace for C3 & C4 class over 2200 metres after settling three back in the moving line from gate four.

With the leaders Adda Paternal Suit and Ice Ice working a long way out, Four Wise Men came with a sweeping finish out wide on straightening to score a runaway victory in advance of Francois from last and Rebel Town in a rate of 2-01.6.

Four year old Fully Loaded/Little Petti mare Safely Loaded taking a concession, snared the McLean Cleaning Pace for C2 class over 1710 metres in similar fashion.

Restrained from gate four to settle at the tail of the field, Safely Loaded commenced a forward three wide move at the bell, being accommodated by Astral Flight (one/one) coming out ahead of her, giving her a lovely ride home.

Taken wide on turning, Safely Loaded ran home stylishly to defeat Astral Flight and Corey Boy in a rate of 2-00.9.

Promising Kiwi bred Dream Away/Haven't Time colt Rojen Dream had little trouble leading from the pole in the JG King Homes Pace for C1 class over 2200 metres and rated to perfection, held too many guns at the finish for Absolootmagic which shadowed him throughout and Corleone (one/one) in a rate of 2-04.2.

A tight photo

Bacchus Marsh trainer/driver Peter Leonard was also a winner on the night, when 4-Y-0 Pacific Rocket/Brooklyn Hustle gelding Luke Peter greeted the judge narrowly in the Eziway Salary Packaging Pace for C0 class over 1710 metres.

Trapped three wide from gate five for the majority of the event, but with a trail following Armbros Lastdollar, Luke Peter raced by Graeme Lang was taken four wide on the home turn and sprinted sharply to assume control on straightening.

Challenged strongly by Glenburn Rock from last shortly after, the pair raced head and head to the wire, with Luke Peter lasting by a half head in a rate of 2-02.2, with Tender Earl third after trailing the weakening leader Karellen.

Honest gelding scores

Melton mentor Rodney Petroff who trains out of Dean King's Parwan property, landed the Action Ads Pace for C6 & C7 class over 2200 metres at Ballarat with honest 9-Y-0 Village Jasper/Miss Chief gelding Good Bye raced by wife Joanne.

Given a sweet passage three back in the running line from gate two on the second line, Petroff eased Good Bye three wide approaching the home turn and ran home strongly to score from The Last Dance from the tail of the field and Waingaro Grandview which followed the winner home in a rate of 2-02.7.

It was Good Bye's 11th victory from 51 race appearances.

Len BAKER