The trip home for Justin Prentice was well and truly worthwhile with the talented young reinsman steering Lively Royce to victory in the Sebastian Corn Discretionary Handicap (2609m) at Pinjarra yesterday.
Prentice was in Sydney over the weekend competing in the NSW Rising Star Series where he finished in fourth place behind Robert Morris.
The talented young reinsman won two of the six events over the five race meetings with the trotter Royal Don at Harold Park on Friday night and Whatsihear at Newcastle on Saturday night.
His winning form continued at Pinjarra following the mighty win of Lively Royce who bounced back to winning form with a swamping run.
The four-year-old was near last approaching the corner but rattled home over the concluding stages to defeat Stumpygullyroad and Winter Retreat.
Libran Sign opened proceedings in miserable wintry conditions to defeat Torrevean Rain and Aint No Dream.
The 5-year-old was slightly disappointing last week when placed sixth but found conditions much to her liking yesterday and proved too good for her rivals.
She was settled near last approaching the turn but had too much in reserve and ran the race out strongly.
Ohokas Pocket was too strong for Cuvee Riche and Copperlua in the third race of the day.
The favourite was always travelling well and looked a winner a long way from home and won accordingly.
Fast Play managed to record a nail-biting win over Keep Celebrating in the Southern River Accountants Stakes (2170m).
Driven by Chris Lewis and trained by Andrew De Campo, Fast Play was beautifully settled in the one-one position before making a wide run approaching the turn and gaining the judges verdict right on the line.
Holmes Du Fair flew home with a wet sail to take out the Matt Scott Harness Trainer Stakes from Kenny Maguire and the Bantam.
Kenny Maguire led them in the straight but the winner was charging from the rear of the field and despite wanting to pull up on the line was good enough to take the win.
The favourite Kenny Maguire did well to fight on after it looked as though he would be swamped close to the line.
The Chelsea Harding team continued their recent good form with the win of Another One For Me in the Narelle Scott Stakes (2670m).
Promising young reinsman Michael George always had the 5-year-old mare settled beautifully and she looked a winner a long way from home.
She was able to wear down Glacier Star who challenged briefly and Levi Judd.
Favourite punters were breathing easier following the win of In The Force in the Fast Tax Refunds Stakes (2170m).
The winner was sent out an odds-on favourite but had to survive a desperate challenge from Tuapeka Tiz who just failed in an exciting photo-finish. Jazz Musician was third.
Chelsea Harding brought up the second-leg of a training double with the win of Flossie in the Adam & Skye Scott Stakes (2170m).
But the favourite had to do it tough and ward off the challenge from Eedemup who refused to go away.
Duke Of Ruddland finished back in third place.
