Overall, a good double

By Tim O'Connor (HRV)

Myrniong’s Jess Tubbs and Greg Sugars combined for Saturday night’s only winning double at Victorian headquarters, with top trotter One Over All and stable veteran Triple Eight both successful.

One Over All showed her class in a rare standing start event over the long trip at Tabcorp Park Melton, while Triple Eight confirmed a trip to Sydney for next weekend’s Miracle Mile qualifiers after scoring his first victory since July last year.

By Tim O'Connor (HRV)

Master trainer Andy Gath has built a reputation on identifying and succeeding with tried New Zealand horses, and a recent buy from across the Tasman might be one of his best yet.

Five-year-old gelding Outlaw Man continued a sparkling start to life in Australia when he strung together a seventh-straight victory for new connections at Tabcorp Park Melton last Saturday night.

And this triumph was arguably the most impressive of his career.

The son of Sweet Lou speared straight to the lead from barrier two and never looked like being caught, with dual 27.2sec closing quarters capping a dominant 7.8m victory in a mile rate of 1:52.5 (1720m).

It was a second successive win with Outlaw Man for young reinsman Jordan Leedham, who drove a similar front-running race seven days prior.

“Hopefully after tonight a few more people think he’s a lot better than what they probably think he is because he’s just been going through the grades,” Leedham said after the Prydes EasiFeed Pace.

“Tonight showed what he can really do, and the whole way he was up wanting to roll so I was happy to just go with him and let him do his thing.

“He just showed what he can really do.”

Leedham works for Gath Racing and knows all about the success the stable has enjoyed with pacers and trotters from overseas.

“All the horses that Andy has purchased and brought over from New Zealand have all done terrific jobs and have all gone on to win a metro or two, but I reckon he’d be up there with one of the better ones that we’ve had come through lately,” Leedham said.

“And he’s one of my favourites too, so I’m happy with that.”

Outlaw Man won his first start for Gath and new owners in December last year, and after being beaten into third a day later at Ballarat, has prevailed in his subsequent seven runs. The blitz here in Australia has raked in more than $60,000 for connections and taken his career record to 12 wins from 36 career starts.

“He’s bred to have a lot of high speed, and he can sustain it for that 600-800 metres and just look like he’s doing it effortlessly,” Leedham said.

“He was super tonight.”

Dates: Mar 4, Apr 1 Fluro for Neuro, May 6, June 3 Inglis Street (Main Street), Ballan

A monthly community market with homemade, home grown goods and wares, with the Lions BBQ to boot!

Ba hus Marsh

Dates: 2nd Saturday of every month 9am - 1pm • 73 Inglis st, Ballan

Fresh local produce, wine, bread, homemade products and plants. The gold coin entry donations going back into our community.

Darley

Dates: Feb 18, Mar 4, Mar 18 9am - 1pm • Cnr Fitzroy & Grey Sts, Darley

Market/Flea Market held at Darley Park - on the 1st & 3rd Saturdays of each month.

Eynesbury

Dates: