The hype of the Melbourne Cup at Sandown was but a distant memory at Wentworth Park with 10 sprint events conducted in a hiatus period for feature racing in Sydney.
While the upcoming Christmas Gift will attract some attention in the next couple of weeks, Wednesday’s Group Three Newcastle Cup at The Gardens is the next feature on the calendar with champion stayer Amity Bale heading north to take on the likes of Forty Twenty, Reign Over Me, local stay Lochinvar Vogue and Tifi.
Her recent conqueror Drill ‘Em, which led all-the-way in the Carnival Cup at Sandown on November 19, will also make his debut at the track on a night which also features heats Woy Woy Poultry St Leger.
Three For Ten, which was run down by Budapest in the opening race at Wentworth Park tonight in 30.26, will back up in the second heat St Leger (race five) at The Gardens.
She takes on a rampant Elite Blue Size (box five) and the well performed Tommy Cash.
Elite Blue Size has strung six wins together and seven of nine overall including a near record 24.98 over 450m at Maitland.
But to Wentworth Park we must return.
Best time of the night went to Sam Sultana’s Bells Pace which posted a slick 29.95 to be the only dog to better 30 second on the night.
In 29 lifetime outings, Bells Pace has been fortunate enough to draw the rails alley seven times and he has taken full toll on four occasions.
A safe beginner with a genuine turn of speed, the black dog has a touch of class but has ‘come up short’ in top grade when the box drawn has not been so kind.
In recent weeks, Arthur Ritis and Melbourne Cup finalist have cut him down after leading but there was no denying him this time.
Earlier in the night, the ever consistent Clark No Ee rallied from third in the middle stages to score in a deceptive finish in 30.14.
The son of History Lesson is 100 per cent ‘chase’ and has shown genuine quality on one and turn-turn tracks.
Trainer Steve Lambley has placed in the dog judiciously and he will be a force in next months Christmas Gift.
Other impressive winners on the night were Fancy Ace (30.18) and the every consistent Gazmick Jax (30.24).
Gazmick Jax handled box eight like a veteran and atoned for recent placings at the track. In three successive runners-up offering, he was beaten a total of a half length (by a neck and a half head twice).