Haslington took out twilight feature race at M’Bah
THERE's an old adage in racing. It doesn't matter if you win in a photo finish or by the length of straight.
With that in mind, Ballina trainer Danny Bowen got it right when he forecast the result of Murwillumbah's feature Pottsville Tavern Christmas Cup (BM 70 hcp) for the benefit of My Daily News readers last week.
His charge Haslington ($6.00) won comfortably on Friday by 1.25 lengths, beating stable mate Eastline who finished out of the placings 4.5 lengths away.
It wasn't the neck difference tipped by Bowen, but a win's a win and Haslington's racing style proved the winning formula, as the trainer guessed it would.
Haslington took up piloting duties soon after the start of the 1530m affair, and while the pack challenged at different stages of the running, he was able to break clear on straightening.
He did it easily in the end, until the shades of the post when weariness shortened his winning stride.
Go The Blaze ($10.00) and Hussonette ($5.00) took out the minor placings respectively.
Jockey club secretary-manager Rachael Elliot said she was pleased with the enthusiasm shown by connections and patrons in supporting the twilight concept.
Her attention now turns to the next meeting on December 30.
Three meetings have been conducted on-course so far this season and local trainer Matt Dunn leads the Murwillumbah trainers' premiership.
A winning double at Friday's meeting adds to his tally courtesy of Countach saluting in the fourth (BM 54 hcp) and Ain't Half Hot in the last (Class 2 hcp).
Another Murwillumbah trainer, Paul Robbins scored a win with Gambino in the fifth (Class 1 & maiden plate).
Apprentice Beau Appo leads the local jockey's ladder on four wins, with another apprentice, Murwillumbah-based Sam Payne hot on his heels on three together with senior rider Glenn Lynch.
