Mt Barker Review Tuesday December 8th.

Trainer Steve Wolfe has put himself in a good position to have a realistic chance of grabbing the Mt Barker Turf Club $10,000 trainers bonus after leading in four winners at Mt Barker on Tuesday. Wolfe now has five eligible winners (after two full meetings) and to get the seven required, he only needs one further winner and then the testing assignment, the winner of either The Mungrup Sprint or Mt Barker Cup.  That is not without a real chance, as both smart gallopers Watson's Bay and All Class could be heading to the Sprint, and handy stayers Goldtown and Impact Rating could be back to contest the Cup.

Race One : With colours made famous in the Great Southern by his father Eric, trainer Peter Hansen opened the day with an easy win with his handy mare Carminemadonna. The lightly raced mare sat on the favourite Daintysfury, and came away to win easily for Jockey Mark Forder from Daintysfury and Dark N Stormy a distant third. Rambler was a good effort first up finishing fourth after been held up on the corner. Hansen Snr trained Albany Cup winners back in the seventies with My Mystery (twice) and King Tide who was ridden by the late Ray Oliver, and set the Bookmakers rocking been backed in from 20/1.


Race Two: At the 200m any of six runners had a winning chance, but Jockey Shaun McGruddy pushed the heavily backed I'm Called earl through to win by a neck over North Royal who put up a great effort after racing wide. Bonds Lane was doing his best work at the finish and ran into third ahead of the early favourite Ladyofmydreams who looked to have every chance. From The Fire put in his best effort in five starts as was not far from the winner.


Race Three: Old timer Billyaintsilly defied the weight of 60kg, a slow start to lead after 200m and held the field at bay to win after a long run of outs. Placegetters Saramento and Why So Blue had hard luck stories in running to fill the placings, but nothing can be taken away from the winner, who Justin Parson's has turned the eight year old around after he lost form last season.


Race Four: All Class showed just that with an effortless win beating The Tax Man and Commandeer who set a brisk pace in front. Carrying top weight of 60kg, the mare ridden by Shaun McGruddy was eased down to win by 2 1/4 lengths. Our Calendar Girl was finishing full of ruunning to just miss the placings.


Race Five: Trainer Steve Wolfe peeled off three races in a row, when Major Bligh proved too strong at the finish to beat the other two fancies Comfyaz and Lauries Dream who both had every chance. Major Bligh improved from mid field at the 600m and gives the impression he is capable of winning upto 1600m.


Race Six: Race hardened Thumbuster with work in his legs outstayed his opponents to win the first staying test of the season. With a genuine pace set in front Thumbuster finished too well for up and coming Boundary Street and Tony's Angel who was doing his best work at the end. Carrallen Steel made ground but was not a winning chance.


Race Seven: Trainer Peter Western had his first winner for the season when On The Double produced a last to first effort and gave Shaun McGruddy the third leg of a treble. On The Double was basically first up after a missing the jump and trailing the field around at Bunbury recently and then was sent back to trials by Stewards for racing uncompetitively. Trochee who was having his third run back after a long absence led and fought on well to run second just ahead of Starline Porsche and King's Tribute who was a very good effort first up after racing wide. Tangram and Lipton both did not finish far from the placings.


Race Eight: Five year old Adams Time made it two from two after sitting outside the leader and coming away to win from Zarisk and Ridgewood Manna. The win gave Wolfe four winners for the day and Jockey Takahide Ikenushi a double. Myth N Mystery first up, caught the eye coming from last to finish fourth.

Coming up Esperance Preview and Mt Barker in Pictures.