Trainer Mick Blackmore has enjoyed double success with two of his promising trotters Yankee Lover and Bitta Irish Luck.
At the Shepparton meeting on August 2, Yankee Lover achieved a well deserved win after the Love You four-year-old gelding had put in eye-catching runs at his previous two starts for second placings.
Bred by Stanhope trots stalwarts Mal and Joan Shaw and raced by Blackmore’s partner Pam Patten, Yankee Lover is building an impressive resume with four wins an 10 placing from just 17 career starts.
After Yankee Lover’s dominant win at Shepparton, Blackmore lined up Bitta Irish Luck for a big win at the Bendigo meeting three days later on August 5.
Bitta Irish Luck’s three career wins from just eight starts have all been on the Bendigo track in quick time which suggests the Darrel Pell bred and owned filly may go on to bigger things all going well.
– Kyabram trained veteran pacer Shannonstheman conquered track specialist Bernie Winkle at the Mildura meeting on August 3.
The Julia Douglas trained Bernie Winkle was attempting to win his 37th race on the Mildura track and his 59th career win and turning for home it looked a distinct possibility when he surged to the front.
But Shannonstheman, who had raced in the death seat for the trip, fought back doggedly to win by a head in a gutsy effort.
Currently prepared at Kyabram trots complex by former Tasmanian horseman Connor Crook and driven by his partner, concession reinswoman Jordan Chibnall, Shannonstheman is a veteran of 158 starts which have now produced 22 wins, 22 seconds and 15 thirds with his latest win taking him over the $200,000 prizemoney milestone.
– Jordan Chibnall has had four more wins in the sulky since Shannonstheman’s Mildura success.
She won at the Kyabram Cup meeting at Shepparton on Sunday, August 7, partnering Casting Shadow to a strong win for Kyabram trainer Mark Watson.
And at last week’s Echuca meeting she drove the Danny Ferris trained Heavensway to his second win in his last three starts.
Chibnall drove the pacer to both wins and those who supported the pacer had nice collects as he paid $19 for both wins.
Chibnall also reined Linxx to victory for trainer Kate Attard at last Friday’s Mildura meeting and then scored on pacer Spencer for Merrigum trainer Brett Bunfield at last Sunday night’s Swan Hill meeting.