6 Winners in 7 Days – BTC Smaller Trainers Flying

It’s no coincidence that Ballarat trainers are making their mark all across the state with the outstanding training facilities available at the Ballarat Turf Club (BTC).

While leading Victoria trainer Darren Weir generally makes the headlines for his outstanding training feats, the smaller stables in Ballarat have also been reaping the rewards for their hard work, with trainers Daniel Kelly, Charles Quick, and Barry & Glen James all scoring recent doubles around the country.

Daniel Kelly scored two winners in four days when Sirgasalot and Hunters Grace were successful at Donald and Bendigo respectively.

Sirgasalot (Delzao x Abassi Queen) was having just his fifth race start when he stepped out in the Melbourne Parkview Hotel Maiden Plate (1620m) on April 20th at Donald with Jack Hill aboard. The 3yo proved too strong for Chloe Anna and Sandhill Flyer, winning by 0.2L in a time of 1:40.81.

Two-year-old Hunters Grace (Turffontein x Catch the Storm) was an impressive 2.3L winner of the Inglis VOBIS Gold Plate 1000m on April 23rd at Bendigo when ridden by Dean Holland. The gelding defeated Theycallmethehoff and Gottakeepfaith in a time of 58.24 and looks to have a promising future judging by that effort.

Charles Quick claimed a double on Anzac Day with Regaliti winning at Yarra Glen and Saintly Manner scoring at Avoca.

Regaliti was coming off a 13 week spell when she proved too good for her rivals in the Lilydale Instant Lawn 0-58 Handicap (1500m) at Yarra Valley with Nikita Berriman in the saddle. It was her third win from 12 starts, following Ballarat & Nhill victories in her last preparation, and she defeated Beautiful Pleasure and Cracked in a time of 1:32.01.

Saintly Manner (Manner Hill x Princess Academy) made it a double for the stable when jockey Dean Larson steered the 4yo gelding to an easy 4.8L victory in the Avoca RSL Maiden Plate 1860m at Avoca. He beat Strogar and Buchan Bill in a time of 1:57.20 to break his maiden status in stylish fashion.

On the same day at Avoca the Barry & Glen James duo produced Asset Hound (Choisir x Coming Up Roses) who made it two wins from two starts when successful in the Sheryl Anderson Paint the Pyrenees Pink Memorial BM64 Handicap (1200m). The nicely bred 3yo gelding was a St Arnaud winner on debut last October and after being slow to jump at Avoca she rallied strongly to beat House Of Stars and Promised Land in a time of 1:13.39.

Two days later at Ararat the James stable made it two wins in three days when Nikita Beriman guided Money Chaser (Rock of Gibraltar x Tea Party) to an all the way win in the W.L. “Bill” Biggin 0-58 Handicap (1108m). It was the second win in four starts for the 3yo gelding who defeated Cool Dude Harry and Aussie Creed in a time of 1:04.93.

Recent wins for Ballarat Trainers

Date	Track	Trainer	Horse
20/4/14	Donald	Daniel Kelly	Sirgasalot
23/4/14	Bendigo	Daniel Kelly	Hunters Grace
25/4/14	Yarra Valley	Charles Quick	Regaliti
25/4/14	Avoca	Charles Quick	Saintly Manner
25/4/14	Avoca	Barry & Glen James	Asset Hound
27/4/14	Ararat	Barry & Glen James	Money Chaser

Special Mention to Bob Keirl

Ballarat trainer Bob Keirl is also worth mentioning after his promising 4yo gelding Knockout Johnny (King Of Prussia x Otama) debuted on April 21st  with a fast finishing second behind Black Caviar’s sister Belle Couture at Caulfield.