Great Western octogenarian Peter Manning can never be left out of calculations at any race meeting he has runners in, and the Hall of Fame trainer snared a double at his home track of Ararat on Monday night.
Cleverly named Boot Legging, a three-year-old gelded son of Volstead from Fortunate Phoenix (Wind Cries Maori) who is raced by long-time client John Dorrington under the banner of Dorro Downs Pty Ltd, was successful in the 2195 House Of Nai Asian Grocery Trotters Mobile.
Having his first start for the stable and first since October last year, Boot Legging was taken back from outside the front line to settle at the tail of the field, but a long way off the leader Alabama Delta who had led from gate six.
Allowed to find his rhythm, Boot Legging gradually made ground before Manning’s daughter Kerryn sent him forward three wide at the bell to join the leaders The Knockabout (gate two) in the breeze and Alabama Delta in the back straight, with The Knockabout racing clear shortly after.
Turning on level terms, Boot Legging safely held Happy Escape (one-two from gate five) by 1.4 metres and The Knockabout, who was third a further 18.9 metres away. The mile rate was 2:03.6 (last half 61.7).
Raging Bull-Bay Jet gelding Wild Bull was the first leg of Manning’s double when he won the McKay Earthworks Pace for driver Ellen Tormey.
After settling in the one-one and easing three-wide prior to the home turn, Wild Bull scored by a neck over Eastbro Chrissie (one-three from gate three on the second line).
Michaywey (extreme draw) came from last for third a head away after weaving between runners in the straight.
Raced by Adelaide’s Cormack family, Wild Bull registered his fifth victory from 23 outings, which includes eight placings.
The mile rate was 1:58.7.
Kerryn also landed a driving double on Monday night, with the first leg secured in the Ararat RSL Pace behind the Danny O’Brien-trained first-starter Rocknroll Willow.
