A first for Reagan

WHAT a night it was at Geelong last Wednesday for sixteen-year-old Ross Creek reinswoman Reagan Clarke.

Clarke received the thrill of a lifetime when chalking up her first winner from a limited number of drives, when successful aboard father Stephen’s 7YO Art Major-Askmeknow gelding Forgone Conclusion in the 2100 metre VHRC / Crop Plus Pace.

Showing plenty of aggression, Forgone Conclusion was sent forward from gate five to join the pacemaker Stellar Queen (gate two) entering the straight on the first occasion and was relentless when keeping the leader honest all through the race.

In a ding dong duel, Forgone Conclusion outstayed his rivals to record a 1.1 metre margin over River Patrol (one/one home turn) which had the drop on the leaders, with Stellar Queen weakening for third 5.4 metres away.

The mile rate 2-00.1. Reagan no doubt hopes to follow 20-year-old brother Connor into the sport who has driven 150 winners to date.

Mixed results were the order of the night and Heathcote sister and brother Shannon and Sean O’Sullivan each recorded a winner on the program.

Parwan trainer Paul Parson combined with Shannon O’Sullivan to capture the VHRC / Benstud Mares Pace over 2100 metres aboard 7YO Million Dollar Cam-Kyallarama mare Didn’t I in a rate of 1-59.4.

Crossing polemarker Myshania shortly after the start, Didn’t I led throughout from gate five to easily account for Shady Dancer (three pegs) along the inside by 13.2 metres.

Myshania held third 2.8 metres back. Shannon is shortly to leave our shores for a stint at a resort in Canada (not harness racing related).

Not to be outdone, brother Sean was also a winner on the night, driving veteran Melton owner-trainer Danny Mullan’s 7Y0 Terror To Love-Blackjacky gelding Hittheroadjack to an all of the way victory in the 2100 metre Vale Robin Leonard Pace.

Flying away from gate four, Hittheroadjack cruised to a 11.1 metre victory ahead of Better Exclusive (one/two), with old timer Love Ina Chevy (one/one) third a head back. The mile rate 1-57.5.

A plethora of owners headed by Mark Del-Re swelled the crowd at Geelong when cheering home 4YO A Rocknroll Dance-Artful Lombo gelding Rocknroll Gronk to victory in the VHRC / Haras Des Trotteurs Pace over 2100 metres.

Trained at Toolern Vale by long-time friend Vince Dicocco, Rocknroll Gronk driven by Terang based Rory Coverdale began fast from gate four to lead throughout, defeating Rockin Charmer along the sprint lane from three pegs by 1.4 metres, with Monsieur Flamel (gate two) third 1.8 metres away after easing off the winners back on the final bend. The mile rate 2-00.2.

Ingliston part-owner/trainer Luke Tabone (25) enjoyed a happy night after snaring a double – 3YO Always B Miki-A Victor gelding Just Pedro (Craig Demmler) outstaying his rivals to take the 1609 metre VHRC / GBL Properties Pace in 1-58.7 and 3Y0 Yankee Rockstar-Modern Society filly City Rockstar (Chris Alford) leading all of the way in the VHRC / Alabar Pace over the same distance in 1-58.5.