Dwayne Locke (pictured) is leading driver of the North West region under the new region-based racing setup, but it has not changed his desire to “just keep enjoying it and being a hobbyist”.
Speaking to Trots Review, Locke said he was rapt to have driven three winners last night at Mildura – and in fact he is now three wins clear as the leading driver in the region – and he wanted to “keep helping people out throughout the pandemic by driving more”.
“It wouldn’t happen on normal circumstances (the treble of wins),” he said.
“I am really enjoying getting amongst some new horses and driving for people I don’t normally drive for. I’m usually luck to get 2-3 drives a meeting, lately I’ve had a full book. It’s been nice jumping on some nice horses.
“… being a professional or freelance driver going forward doesn’t really interest me at this stage to be honest. I’m happy to be a hobbyist. it’s something I enjoy.”
Locke’s winners last night were Glenavril Girl for trainer Ian Watson in the Gateway Pace, and Blast Away and Augustus Jack for Boris Devcic in the Tenderprint Australia Pace and the Zilzie Wins Pace.
Of Glenavril Girl, Locke said: “She’s a nice little filly. I drove her last week and she was just a but short of couple of trials. She certainly gave me a good feel last night.”
On Blast Away: “Very happy with that horse. He’s coming through the grades well … it’ll get a big harder for him from now but he’s a consistent horse.”
And on Augustus Jack, Locke said: “He’s a nice horse, fount the front over the shorter trip and I think he goes best over that distance. Really happy with him.”
Other winners were Call Me Tom in the Euston Club Pace for trainer-driver Jason McGinty, Bezzamboma for trainer-driver Andrew Vozlic in the Tankard Dental Pace, Vicstar Sharazzz for trainer-driver Luke Watson in the Park Douglas Printing Pace, Rhyflective for trainer Laurie Callick and reinsman Danny Weinert in the Tasco Petroleum Pace, and A Rocknroll Jet for trainer Frank Cavallaro and driver Kathy Watson in the Sunraysia Daily Pace.
Check out the region-racing stats
At Bendigo yesterday Rodney Lakey continued his successful comeback with a winning treble.
Lakey paired with Glenn Douglas to take out the Share Media 2YO Pace aboard Treacherous Saint, Kylie Linsell to win the Yabby Dam Racing 3YO Pace aboard Orbie, and Gobsmacked for Shaun McNaulty in the Simonds Homes Bendigo Pace.
Michael Mannix produced his 27th career victory when consistent eight-year-old Ace Duigan claimed the Best Accounting & Audit Pace for young gun Shannon O’Sullivan.
Anthony Crossland produced Lola Devereaux to win the Sheahan Plumbing 3YO Trot, Crossland both trainer and driver of that filly, who took 18 goes to break her maiden but now boasts back-to-back wins.
Brett Shipway prepared Louieville Lass to win the Santons of Bendigo Trot with Peter Sanderson in the gig.
Veteran reinsman Brian Gath continued his vintage form with a win aboard American Tiger in the Gold Central Victoria Pace.
And Tayla French combined with Keith Semmons to win the Hygain Trotters Handicap aboard six-year-old squaregaiter Downunder Barkers.
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First-Starter Form
A quick guide to today’s horses making their trots debut
Shepparton tonight
Race 3
Dalton (3yo colt by Bad Boy Truscott out of Camp Fire Glow)
Trained and driven by Leslie Wallace at Benalla, this colt is just the 23rd starter for this stallion. He is out of a one-time winning mare, who was a daughter of Conch Deville, and is a half-brother to a six-start maiden performer named Aldebaran Lynrose.
Has shown some glimpses of ability at the trials, but has broken stride on several occasions, so it’s tough to get a solid guide.
Race 4
Full Of Mischief (4yo gelding by Major Bronski out of Miss Jules)
Trained by Michael Watt at Tongala and driven by Doc Wilson, Fullofmischief is out of a Jet Laag mare who won four races. This fella is a half-brother to an 11-start maiden.
Comes off a confidence-boosting trial win on April 9 at Shepparton.
