Making the trip to Wagin is a tough job in the harness game especially when your from Busselton, and dealing with difficult barriers didn't make it any easier for Busselton duo Sammys Ideal and Budd Sidewinder.
Sammys Ideal was having his first start since March and was produced in a trial the previous Saturday at Bunbury, running a nice second to the talented Wesley in the good time of 1.58.
But forgotten by punters he was sent out at lucrative odds of $17.
Settling behind leader and favourite Hoiho reinsman Ash Markham was looking for an out coming for home; he found a gap late and got through for second behind State new-comer Son Of A Tiger.
Budd Sidewinder also looked unlucky on the night and in the same boat as Sammy was sent out at good odds of $8.50.
Having to deal with the outside barrier Ash who was behind the reins again had to take Budd back to the rear, entering the back straight the leaders were off and gone and Ash and Budd looked to be held up behind a couple slow ones, in the straight Markham weaved and dived through the field to grab another second for Michael Callegari.
Gold Horseshoe looks a talented horse in the making and on Friday night in the Westbred Classic consolation he showed how brave he was.
In barrier four he was caught wide early and champion reinsman Chris Lewis had to use some petrol early to go forward to punch the breeze.
Gold Horseshoe then took the lead with 600 metres to run and after doing all the work he wasn't about to lie down without a fight. Unfortunately he was grabbed late to run fourth, only by 3m.
