Classy pacer Alta Antonio, driven by Tim McLean, goes to the line a winner in the feature event at the Stawell Harness Racing Club’s meeting last Wednesday, the James McLeod Memorial Final Pace. The race favourite scored by more than three metres.
STAWELL - Alta Antonio continued his stellar form by winning the James McLeod Memorial Pace final at Laidlaw Park last Wednesday.
The four year old chalked up his 10th victory in 27 outings and Wednesday's win followed strong performances in the heats at Hamilton and Mt Gambier.
Alta Antonio was outside the leader right throughout the race, parked alongside Amajorfrost.
With Tim McKenzie at the helm, Alta Antonio took over the lead on the turn to score by 3.4 metres from Shalackin and Amajorfrost.
Part owner and manager of the horse, Paul Brumby praised the effort of both trainers and driver.
"He's won eight races in six months which is a mighty effort and a real tribute to trainers David and Andrea Drury," Mr Brumby said.
"Tim McLean is a promising concession driver and it's a great thrill for us to see a young bloke win his only two drives on our horse.
"Tim is a young driver on the way up and drove two great races for us on Alta."
Alta Antonio has only been in Australia for six months after coming out from New Zealand.
The highlight for his owners has been winning the Heywood Cup and they are now looking to send him to contest metropolitan races.
"We really think Alta Antonio is a horse with plenty of potential and on what he has done so far he should be very competitive in city class races at Melton," Mr Brumby said.
Mr Brumby lives in Stawell and was personally thrilled to win the ninth running of the James McLeod Memorial Pace.
"I've known Les McLeod for about 30 years and it was quite special to win a race honouring his late father, who was a very passionate local trotting man," he said.
David Drury claimed another winner in the Sertori & Co Pace with Bobby Maravu bringing up his eighth success in 20 race appearances.
He led throughout from the pole to easily account for Peter Manning-trained Ben Cartwright.
Gnotuk hung in under pressure for driver Matthew Craven to win the Choices Flooring By Westside Pace while Danny Simpson-trained and driven Fearless Courage narrowly took out the Fosters Mensland three year old Pace.