Owner Tim Blew is having a great run with his mare Cut Above when the Gotta Go Cullen four year old saluted in fine style at Northam on Saturday night. Trained by Mathew Scott and driven by Shannon Suvaljko, Cut Above took the lead shortly after the start and controlled the race, dashing clear to win by seven metres. Tim used the same combination to score a win at headquarters at Gloucester Park on Friday night when Clarenden Hustler gained an inside run at good odds to defeat favourite Liberty Rose.
At Albany on Friday night Busselton trainer Barry Howlett took four charges down south for a nice return of one winner, two seconds and a fourth. Smart Fortune continued his form; Ohoka Titan and Bettor Finish placed close seconds; and Another Mouse did things wrong twice in running but ran a great race for fourth. Debra Lewis wife of legendary reinsman Chris Lewis made the long trek to Albany, also with four horses and left with three winners.
Recently acquired city horse Luis Alberto, best known for running many places in Perth without winning, would finally break through for a much deserved win; Vrai Amour led throughout and Lot Twenty One started off a 40m handicap and ran down favourite Disco Under Fire. All horses were driven by youngster Jocelyn Young. Other good country trained winners on the program were Ain’t Misbehaving for Charlie Draper Star Of Bethany for Susan Roberts, who also drove the mare, and Betterpiece for trainer Reinsman Tim Stone.
The main event at Williams on Sunday was the Jimmy Draped Memorial, a standing start event. Luminosa was driven a treat by Nathan Turvey. With plenty of pressure up front early Turvey waited for the last lap to make his move with the gelding and with 400m to run dashed quickly home to hold off Bettor Twisted.
