Mark Pitt made a big impact in his return to Riverina harness racing, winning four of the first six races at Wagga on Friday night.
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The former Leeton horseman was in high demand, picking up six drives on the eight-race card and more the trip home more than worthwhile.
“It’s been a great night to come home and drive a couple of winners for the leading trainers,” Pitt said.
Three of his four winners came courtesy of Wagga trainer Paul Kahlefeldt.
The pair started with immediate success, taking out the opening race with Lettuce Go Pippa.
The mare was able to make it five wins in her last six starts after being afforded the perfect trip by Pitt.
Fighting off Badge Of Gameness to take out the Kydra Park Pace (2165m) by a head, the daughter of Rocknroll Hanover impressed the 23-year-old.
“She has been in great form and Paul has got her going really well,” Pitt said.
“She was probably down in grade a fraction on what she had been racing, got a good trip and fought on well.”
Pitt then tasted success with Corrinyah Conman for Yanco trainer Shane Hillier.
The five-year-old overcame a second row draw to take out the Supermix Concrete Pace (2165m).
Storming around the field to take up the running, Corrinyah Conman never looked in danger of defeat.
He cruised to the line, defeating Navajo Rocky by 7.2 metres.
It was his second win in three starts, and made up for last time out when he was first past the post but relegated to second on protest.
Pitt thought being able to run out in front suited the five-year-old.
“He is a really good front runner and Shane does a wonderful job with his team,” he said.
“Once he found the front I knew he was hard to beat.”
Pitt’s third victory of the night was his most impressive.
Combing once more with Kahlefeldt, Pitt steered Lettuceplayginger to the easiest of wins.
Taking advantage of barrier one, the five-year-old mare was able to go to the early lead before leaving her rivals in her wake.
She went on to defeat Lequipe Linden by 17.4 metres, a win Pitt described as very comfortable.
“She did it really easy,” he said. “She gets a little bit keen in patches but it was a big drop in grade for her and of course the draw helped.”
Pitt then made it a race-to-race double with Redbank Harry bringing up his first win since March for Kahlefeldt.
Able to spear to the lead after an early mistake from favourite Noah The Shark, Redbank Harry held off stablemate Norms Courage to win by 2.7 metres.
Pitt said the early blunder from his main danger turned the race in his fortunes.
“Once it broke inside him and he found the front I thought he would be hard to beat,” he said.
“The danger was then probably the stablemate on my back but he proved too good for them.
“The draw is a big advantage and I don’t think he had drawn inside four for about 17 runs so it was a big advantage.”
Meanwhile, Adam Richardson was another reinsman who tasted success on his return to the Riverina.
Celebrating his 28th birthday in fine style, Richardson drove Ultimate Risk to victory for his uncle Darren Richardson.
Unlike Pitt, Richardson has made a more permanent return to NSW, joining Tony Peacock at Moama.