Always Bettor (Jordan Chibnall) winning the Harry Holgate Memorial in Launceston on Sunday night. Photo by Stacey Lear
Three-year-old Always B Miki gelding Always Bettor ($1.50 fav) remains undefeated this season after claiming the Harry Holgate Memorial (2200m) in Launceston on Sunday night.
Driver Jordan Chibnall took the pacer to the lead before taking cover on the back of My Bettor Half in the early stages of the event.
The gelding was able to angle into the clear entering the home straight, with the Paul Carlson prepared pacer letting down strongly to record a 1.4m win over My Bettor Half ($4.20), with Unmatched ($41) 11.9m away third in a mile rate of 1:59.0s, with the last half-mile recorded in a slick 56.7s.
“He did that really easily. I didn’t have to ask him to do anything. He did what he did himself,” said Chibnall post-race.
Trainer Paul Carlson indicated pre-race that the gelding would likely head for a spell, to concentrate on some of the state’s three-year-old feature races later in the season.
Chibnall also reported that some gear changes prior to the race appeared to help the pacer, who had been getting the bit through his mouth in recent starts, placing her at a disadvantage in steering the pacer in previous starts.
“The gear changes worked pretty well, and he steered well. He did get a little bit keen, which he does anyway, and he did go a little bit rough, but that's probably him telling us he needs a break,” said the driver.
Always Bettor has now won four of his seven career starts.
Earlier in the night, the Mark Jones-trained Hay Miki ($3.00 fav) led all the way to claim the Stan & Katie Leedham Memorial (1680m).
Driven by Mark’s daughter Grace, the five-year-old gelded son of Always B Miki did plenty of work to find the lead near the 1300m, and proved too strong late to score by 3.8m over Far Left Fletch ($10) and Iris Brown ($5.00) in 1:57.9s.
Hay Miki has now won seven races, with Grace in the sulky for four of those victories.
“He was super,” said the driver.
“He was going very fast and very rough on that first turn.
“We really slacked off in the second quarter, which really suited him in the end.
“He has been a really good horse for us, and he goes well for me,” said the five-point claim concession driver.
The fast class race of the night was the Chamfers Star Stakes (2200m) where Stepping Stones ($4.40) came from back in the field to run down her Heath Woods trained stable mate, Custom Harley ($15) by 1.9m in 1:58.2s.
