Kerryn Manning takes Princeofthieves to the line a winner in the Stawell Florist /Lillies and Lattes Restaurant Pace at Laidlaw Park.
STAWELL - The Manning name once again featured prominently at Stawell's home of harness racing, with Kerryn Manning scoring a winning driving double and training treble, while sister Michelle also had a win.
It was Michelle who claimed bragging rights first at Laidlaw Park last Wednesday, with her five year old gelding Idle Suntime winning the Chris N Di's Bakery Trotters Handicap.
Driven patiently by Michelle, Idle Suntime (from the 30 metre mark) settled five back in the moving line.
When Grant Campbell sent Strapperama forward three wide racing for the bell, Idle Suntime was quickly on his back and stormed home to win by one and half metres.
It was a family affair with Grant (Michelle's brother in law) finishing second and Kerryn claiming third.
Michelle was pleased with Idle Suntime's win.
"He did reasonably well. I thought if he did everything right, he should be there abouts," she said.
"He's not very trustworthy - he has a habit of tripping over at the start.
"He was his biggest danger."
Idle Suntime's younger brother is featuring in the yearling sales next month and Michelle said the five year old has found form at the right time.
Kerryn's first win of the afternoon came with Whata Finale in the Stawell Drycleaners Pace.
The four year old led throughout the race, eventually scoring a win by 3.5 metres from Metrofromelle.
It was Whata Finale's first wins in just two starts for Kerryn, who picked him up from Horsham barely a month ago.
"He went okay. It was a bit scary at the start though," Kerryn said.
"He wanted to bolt, but he relaxed and went along alright."
Princeofthieves had a turn around in luck for Kerryn, recording a victory in the Stawell Florist Lillies and Lattes Restaurant Pace.
The five year old was outside leader at the bell and took off on the home straight to eventually win by three and a half metres.
It was Princeofthieves' first win for the season from six starts.
"He's been going really good without any luck," Kerryn said.
"He's had his share of problems but has shown a lot of ability. In the last few races, he's been super without winning."
Kerryn said Princeofthieves was a horse who tries and 'gives 100 percent to everything,' adding he deserved to win at Stawell.
Rising reinswoman Ellen Tormey took the drive of Kerryn's third winner, New Zealand-bred Run Ripalong.
Run Ripalong led the entire way in the Wilky's Fencing Pace but came under siege on the home straight.
The five year old managed to produce some magic and sprinted away again to win by 3.6 metres in front of Magical Bazz.
It was Run Ripalong's first start for Kerryn and she said he was ready to race after not featuring on the track since December 2011.
Kerryn was forced to scratch the gelding last start after he pulled up a little bit sore at training.
"He had puffy back fetlocks, nothing major," Kerryn said.
