Bell’s Winning Double – The Bunbury Wrap Up
Ryan Bell in the cart with Hillview Bondi after his win on Friday night. Photo Credit: Photography by Jodie Hallows.
Baskerville based Ryan Bell walked away with a training and driving double on Friday night when his runners Hillview Bondi and Peligroso were first to salute the judge. Hillview Bondi opened the meeting with the consistent pacer breezing it 1000m from home, to win the first by 4.2m in 1:58:0.
“Hillview Bondi is as honest as the day is long. I wish every horse in my stable tried as hard as he does, he surprised me with how easy he won after doing a bit of work in the last 1000m.” Bell said.
Peligroso led all the way to win narrowly in the fourth, with the $1.50 favourite running a last half of 56.9, giving the three-year-old his second career victory in 13 starts.
“I’ve always had an opinion of him (Peligroso) but I’ve had a fair few health issues with him and he lost his way for a bit. I am trying to get back into his head a bit, so I’m hoping with these restricted class races and his gate speed, it will hopefully help him out,”
“Even though he won, I still think it wasn’t his best, but it was definitely an improvement,”
“Both horses will improve in confidence racing at these community meetings, and hopefully come back better after a break.” Said Bell.
Quick beginner Joey James flew from the mobile to lead all the way from barrier seven in race two. Trained by Brad Lynn and piloted by Aiden De Campo, the four-year-old double west-bred gelding recorded his third career victory, improving on his last two starts second placing form.
Aiden De Campo walked away with a driving double when his runner No Pips Given made it two wins from four starts at generous odds. The lightly raced five-year-old mare
Smooth Rye makes it three in a row after her win at Bunbury on Friday night for trainer Corey Peterson. With Aldo Cortopassi in the cart, the $2 favourite won narrowly over last start winner War Club in a time of 1:59:2.
Locally trained Gingers Jet made it two in a row for trainer Vanessa Brockman when he managed to run down the leaders to win by 1.6m with Bailey McDonough in the cart. The six-year-old injected some value in to the quaddie, with the second leg winner starting at $17 odds.
Dennis Russell jumped in the cart for the last to steer home his runner Stirup Iron Jack for an all the way victory in race seven. The six-year-old was having his first start in a race, claiming his maiden win after starting from barrier five and launching his way to the front from release point.
Ashleigh Paikos