Forbes reinsman, Jason Gaffney brought up a winning double at Parkes Paceway last Sunday afternoon when he combined with the Terry Hush trained Digger Shed ($5.00) to take out the Bob and June Stephenson Memorial (2040m) and then won with five-year-old Blissfully Fake in the very next race.
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Gaffney was able to bounce Digger Shed, owned by recent Forbes Citizen of the Year Rob Parsons, straight to the front and from there he controlled the speed and the race, setting even quarters and leaving enough in reserve for the gelding to hold on to score by a half neck.
Outsider, Always Lucky ($21, Jason Large) sat back at the tail of the field and then rattled home after coming right to the outside of the track at the 400 to just miss.
Odds on favourite Karinya Jay Jay ($1.80, Gary Eyre) began well but then took the one, one trail which didn’t really help her as Eyre had to make his move at the 600 metres mark to avoid being pocketed.
She battled on to the line finishing third, three metres from the winner.
It was a race to race double for Gaffney as he scored his second victory aboard Blissfully Fake ($3.00) in the Trundle Hotel Competitive Stakes (1660m).
And the win was in complete contrast as Gaffney took the mare right back to near last after the start and bided his time there until coming with a powerful burst with 500 metres to run.
Blissfully Fake went on with the job to score by three metres over Peggyville ($6.00, Steve Dowton) which ran the gate to lead but could not withstand the winner’s finishing burst.
Taylor Shannon ($5.00, Murray Sullivan) sat off the pace and finished third, appearing to have every chance.
The voice of the late great sporting commentator Norman May was certainly reminisced on Sunday when Dubbo pacer, Koloura Gold took out his third consecutive win in as many race meetings at the Parkes Paceway.
It was ‘gold, gold, gold’ that the Bruce McKinnon trained and driven gelding was chasing as he stepped up in distance (1660m to 2040m) in the Ag and Vet Pace.
But it made little difference to Koloura Gold ($2.50) who bounced to the front and was never headed, recording a smart 2.01.4 for the longer journey to complete his hat-trick of wins.
Koloura Gold had four metres to spare over his nearest rival, Poppy Cee ($9.00, Andrew Cassell) which flew home after being buried back on the pegs.
The Wifes Calling ($5.00, Murray Sullivan) was dragged back to near last after the start and then made a searching three wide run from the bell, staying on well for third, beaten seven and a half metres.
The win by Junes Legacy ($3.00) in the Henry McDermott Memorial 3yo (1660m) was very fitting given that she was wearing the colours of the late Bob Stephenson, a former stalwart of the Trundle trotting fraternity.
Like the late Henry McDermott, the Stephenson name was prominent in the sport in the western area of New South Wales and Sunday’s meeting was dedicated to the history and great memories of the Trundle community in harness racing.
Nevada Shannon ($5.00, Murray Sullivan) went ahead of the winner and was brave in defeat while third placed Karinya Rocket ($3.00, Gary Eyre) which was having its first race start showed blinding speed to lead but was worried all the way and done well to hold on to the minor placing.
Racing will not return to Parkes for almost 10 weeks (Saturday Twilight on May 9) with the focus turning to Bathurst and Dubbo.
