Two former Kiwis added more success to growing Australian resumes in Victoria’s north on Sunday afternoon.
Greg Norman’s New Zealand acquisition Blue Coman landed the biggest win of his career with victory in the Cohuna Car Sales Bill Poxon Memorial Gunbower Trotters Cup before Julie Douglas-trained Rick Reilly continued his upward spiral with a front-running triumph in the pacing feature.
Kerryn Manning was forced to drive a patient race on Blue Coman, who trailed leader Jackson Square (Mick Blackmore/John Caldow) for much of the 2630m journey before darting home along the sprint lane.
His turn of speed up the straight was impressive and the grey gelding cleared out to win by nearly three metres over runner-up Kyvalley Finn (Chris Svanosio).
“I was happy when the sprint lane did come up, he went through there very nicely and sprinted really quick,” Manning said.
“He’s lovely. He’s a bit different because he’s grey. He’s a pretty horse and people notice him because of his colour. And he certainly goes okay as well.”
The victory was Blue Coman’s sixth since arriving at Norman’s barn in 2019 and his second from two trips to the Gunbower track.
Rick Reilly produced a powerful front-running display to claim the Gunbower Family Hotel Gunbower Pacing Cup.
The Julie Douglas-trained four-year-old was sent to the top shortly after the start by Jack Laugher and that’s where he stayed for the remainder of the 2630m trip, holding runner-up Imnopumpkin (Mary-Jane Mifsud/James Herbertson) at bay in the run to the line.
Seven of the horse’s nine career wins have come since arriving in Australia during the middle of this year, with a current picket fence of three after triumphs at Bendigo and Melton through November.
The result was the second leg of a winning double for Douglas and Laugher, who combined with stablemate Magic Mike in the Echuca Steel Sheds Pace.
Trainer Terry French and driver/daughter Tayla also scored two victories on Sunday, with Sandoval and Joeys Hangover taking out the Gunbower Life Members Pace and MVP Feeds Cohuna Pace respectively.
* pictures courtesy Geoff Durn.
