IT’S been more than 10 months since Peter McRae scored his first win but he was back in the winners’ list as harness racing returned to Lin Gordon Paceway on Wednesday.
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The young Murrami horseman was entrusted with Matthew Painting’s horses and he didn’t let anyone down.
The Coleambally trainer is currently away on holidays but that didn’t stop Good Girl Shirl winning the Southern Central Engineering Ladyship Pace (1758m).
The four-year-old mare made it back-to-back wins at Leeton after an impressive all the way display.
After winning on New Years’ Day, the daughter of Elsu was given a break before continuing her winning run.
With blistering gate speed Good Girl Shirl ($8.30) was able to cross Official Jasper ($1.20 fav) at the start, setting up the win.
McRae brought up his first win at Shepparton in August.
He thought the key to his second win was the gate speed shown by the mare.
“She’s a handy little horse and the gate speed helped out a lot,” McRae said.
Given two trials in the lead up, with McRae at the helm on both occasions.
“She went real well,” he said.
“Matt’s up in Queensland so he’ll be pretty happy.”
Ellen Bartley had been going most of the driving for Painting but the 18-year-old was thrilled to get the chance.
“Matt’s given me the opportunity to drive for him, he’s got some nice horses which always helps,” McRae said.
His first win was in a concession drivers-only race, however this time the 18-year-old had plenty of experienced drivers to beat.
He fought out the finish with another young reinsman, Chris Judd, but was finding too much at the finish to win by 1.2 metres in a slick mile rate of 1:58.4.
After Good Girl Shirl won, McRae and Painting went close to a race to race double with Wongalea Bingo.
After heading to the front early, Wongalea Bingo ($5.00) was in front for most of the race before tiring late.
Barriettas Bliss ($3.40) defied a betting drift to score by 8.2 metres in the Golden Apple Super Store Pace (2147m).
David Lang’s Perfezione storming home late to pass Wongalea Bingo to finish second.
Im Johnny Jet ran the fastest time of the night for father-son combination Phil and Reece Maguire.
After finishing second at Wagga on Saturday first up from a break, the three-year-old was dominant in victory.
Coming off the second row, the former Kiwi was sent around the field before storming away from his rivals to win by 23.5 metres.
The son of Jeremes Jet clocked a mile rate of 1.58.2 over 1758m.
The Leeton Harness Racing Club will race again on July 15 with another twilight meeting scheduled.
