By Colin Hodges
Concerns about being able to handle a further hefty handicap increase were dispelled when the five-year-old chestnut mare Laisvas completed a feature race winning treble on Saturday, March 8 at Tottenham.
The Connie Greig, Dubbo-trained Laisvas carried 66kg in the Bedgerabong Picnic Cup, 69kg in the Condobolin Picnic Cup and humped 72.5kg to victory in the 1400 metres Robinson Grain Totten-ham Picnic Cup.
Again ridden by leading jockey Leandro Ribeiro, Laisvas ($2 equal favourite) was near last early before sweeping around the field approaching the home turn to eventually wear down Bush Warrior (Adrian Pollock, $4) to score by half-length with I’m Scarlett (Todd Bailey, $2 equal favourite) in third place.
Winless after more than 30 starts before coming to the Sharon Jeffries stable, Zillions has now won three races in succession, at Gilgandra, Bedgerabong and Tottenham, for the Parkes trainer.
Going to the early lead at Tottenham, Zillions (Ashley Boyd, $2.40) lasted to win the 800 metres Michael Logan Memorial Class Three Trophy Handicap by a short head from Full Revolution (Leandro Ribeiro, $2.30 fav.) while a half-length away third was Rubicon River (Emily Waters, $8).
Recently licensed trainer Stuart Canham, from Coonamble, had his career first winner with Fast ‘N’ Ezy at Gilgandra in January and he was in the winners’ circle again with Star Stroke at Tottenham.
Racing well clear in the straight, the grey mare Star Stroke (Zara Lewis, $5) won by over three lengths from Scruff’s Magic (Eloise Drews, $2.60 fav.) and Candid (Arthur Pollock, $3.50).
Playing a prominent role on the picnic circuit this season, Scone trainer Nikki Pollock and her son, jockey Arthur Pollock, combined to win the 1000 metres Tottenham Hotel Maiden Plate with Shades Of Truth.
The $2 favourite Party Prophet led the field before Shades Of Truth ($4.40) took over to win by a half-length from the strong finishing Yourawizard (Ashley Boyd, $16) with Party Prophet (Leandro Ribeiro) a length back third.
Tamsin Gough who rode seven winners before taking a break in 2023 to have her baby daughter, was back in action at Tottenham and won the 1000 metres Combined Dubbo Businesses Open Trophy Handicap with Mr Pointer for Cobar trainer Wayne Prisk.
Away quickly, Mr Pointer ($8) led throughout for a convincing win from Joanneski (Arthur Pollock, $2.30) and the 12-year-old marvel, Billy Bent Ear (Todd Bailey,$5).
In an exciting finish to the final event, the 1400 metres Combined Local Sponsors Class B Handicap, Ready For Lift Off (Eloise Drews, $2.30 favourite) trained at Narromine by Kylie Kennedy for Robert Gainsford, held off Glenfield Fox (Zara Lewis, $4.40) by a short half-head with over two lengths to the third placed Spanner (Ashley Boyd, $2.50).
The official crowd of 628 was a great result for the hardworking and progressive Tottenham club.
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