TUMUT trainer Kerry Weir enjoyed a day out as Sand Dune claimed the feature race at Murrumbidgee Turf Club on Tuesday.
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Weir captured a race-to-race double as Sand Dune proved too good for a smart field in the $22,500 Tasco Petroleum 2016 Ian Reid Sprint (1200m).
Top apprentice Nick Heywood returned home to Wagga and produced a gun ride to guide Sand Dune to an upset victory.
After two top runs to start this preparation, Sand Dune ($16.00) was not going to be a hard-luck story again as he grabbed Greipel ($7.00) in the shadows of the post to score by a half length.
Lady Henrietta ($13.00) was a close-up third.
Heywood was thrilled with how the eight-year-old knuckled down to score.
“He went enormous, the old boy,” Heywood said.
“We got to the right spot and he did enough to win. It was a tough effort.”
It also proved a winning, albeit short, homecoming for Heywood, who enjoyed his first metropolitan success last Wednesday.
“It’s always a good trip home to get to see family so to grab a winner makes it even better,” he said.
Sand Dune continues to prove a great buy for Weir and connections, which include the Tuckwell family and Wagga’s Phil Gannon.
Since joining Weir’s stable in June 2014, Sand Dune has gone on to win four races, including Cups at Cowra, Corowa and Young.
The win also gave Weir equal second placing in the inaugural Southern District Racing Association (SDRA) Winter Trainers Series, an initiative aimed at providing more Open Handicaps in the district.
Weir and Geoff Duryea moved to 22 points after the final leg at Wagga on Tuesday to finish second to Wagga trainer Wayne Carroll.
Carroll wins $2500, courtesy of the SDRA.
Meantime, it was an all-Tumut success when Bondo won the Microtech DPS Class Three Handicap (1200m), the first leg of Weir’s double.
It was Weir’s first winner for Andrew and Sue Groves, a prominent racing family from Tumut.
It was also ridden to victory by Tumut apprentice Megan Taylor.
Bondo was transferred to Weir’s stable recently and has now returned a victory and two seconds from five starts.
Weir is happy to have the six-year-old in his stable.
“His two seconds at Canberra were first class,” Weir said.
“He goes alright. He’ll win a few that’s for sure.”
Bondo ($15.00) sat up on a strong speed and showed plenty of fight to hold off Supreme Lad ($7.00) by a head.
The $3.20 favourite Last Try Wins had every chance and was a half length back in third place in his first start for Albury trainer Brett Cavanough.
