I have always said local racing is never as healthy as when the trainers based in that city are winning races. There is no doubt that based on that criteria Grafton racing has never been in a more healthy state.
At the mid February Grafton meeting it was three local trainers that found their way to the winners circle on the seven race card.
First celebrating was Greg Howells when Kid Galahad resumed from an injury enforced layoff to score a scintillating victory in the Class 3 1006m.
Kid Galahad had joined the Howells camp in the winter of 2019 and whilst Howells was never 100% happy with the gelding which was never in his opinion quite right this did not stop him scoring a strong win in a Grafton Class 1 in March 2020.
After this win Howells was able to pinpoint the issue and take steps to remedy it. The quality of the win first up would indicate that the cash and time investment has been well worth it.
Dwayne Schmidt would be the first to admit 20/21 has not been near as successful for the stable as last season due in part to a large number of younger horses in the camp. However it was one of the younger brigade that saw him in the winners circle when Drop It Deep led throughout to win the Maiden 1106m.
Ridden by Ben Looker Drop It Deep went straight to the top and although inclined to star gaze for most of the race was simply way to strong for his rivals racing away to win with plenty in reserve.
Like the first winner Drop It Deep was first up from a spell after having just one start in his previous preparation before Schmidt and the ownership group decided to go back to the paddock because the son of Deep Field was not quite right.
The third Grafton winner came courtesy of camp Reilly when Franklin Corners found all the short cuts to score a big win in the Class1 1410m.
Ridden by Matt Bennett Franklin Corners settled well back in the field but Bennett was at his patient best waiting for runs to appear and as they did “red” kept pushing the button to improve into them. In the end he had gone from ninth the fence at the 500m to in front and increasing his lead at the 100m and had not gone around one other runner.
The win continued the great run of success being enjoyed by Jason Reilly in the current season.
Pic Drop It Deep dashes away.
Photo supplied by Trackside Photography 07 32165685
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