It was the second double in a fortnight at the Southern track for the Nornmanville based O'Leary. The first of O'Leary's winners came when the apprentice Kate Dyson ridden Dujac $10 was the nose winner of the 2050 metre sixth race.

From the New Regent mare Skyward and sired by imported English bred Jeune, Dujac came from last to defeat the Richard Croser mentored apprentice Mick Engleson ridden Ari's Yacht $31. Meadows Staar $41 was a further one and a quarter lengths away third for Jim Sim and apprentice Melanie Tyndall.

O'Leary said that he may take Dujac to Port Lincoln and give him a crack at the Port Lincoln Cup on Thursday March 4.

The three quarters of a length win of the Staaraq sired Adoptme Two brought up O'Leary's double and gave jockey Chad Lever his second winner in race seven which was run over 1600 metres.

Starting the $2-70 public elect and being from the Snaadee matron Adopted, Adoptme Two settled third before drifting back to sixth but mustered enough speed later in the event to go on and record a three quarters of a length win over By Sea $20 for trainer Carole Gellard and Kate Dyson. Another one and a quarter lengths away third was Akhameela $6 for Fred Meuring and David Tootell.

Adoptme Two may be seen in 0/75 event in the City in the near future.

The win of the John Macmillan prepared Unicus, one of four horses to win carrying the number four ten saddlecloth, gave jockey Chad Lever the first leg of a double in the 1200 metre third race.

The $1.50 punter's choice and the third favourite in three races to win, the Fantastic Light sired Unicus, from the Lyphard matron Riverly, was well placed and scored a three quarters of a length win over Cyber Warrior $4.60 for trainer Emma Hubbard and rider Simon Price. Kelport $9 was another long neck away third for David Halliday and Jeffrey Maund.

Punters were the first out of the bocks when the Mark Minervini trained Ryan Plumb piloted Hellacious, the $1-65 favourite, was the five and a half length winner of the 1350 metre opening event.

From the Zoffany mare Prodigious and sired by Face Value, Hellacious was an all the way winner and beat the Stephen Brown trained Chad Lever piloted Miss Endeavour $4.20. A farther one and a half lengths away, filling minor placing, was Quick Plan $4 for Mick Whittle and Matthew Neilson.

Winning her first race from five starts the three year old filly Space Star gave her trainer Peter Jolly and jockey Simon Price an eight and three quarter length win in 1200 metre second race.

Starting the $1.70 favourite and being the daughter of Blevic and Twinkles, whose sire is Quick Score, Space Star was another all the way winner and beat the Byron Cozamanis prepared Paul Gatt mount Giggling Dollar $12. The $151 chance Notonmatchday was a farther three and a quarter lengths away third for Ray Moore and Melanie Tyndall.

Space Star is likely to have her next start in a similar type event in the city.
Wearing the number ten saddle cloth Zenton $5 gave her trainer David Hayes and his apprentice Omer Ay a three and a half length win in race four which was run over 1600 metres.

Being out of the Zabaleta mare Pluton and fathered by Zentsov Street, Zenton came from a mid field position to beat the Ken Sweeny trainer Matthew Neilson guided Perfect Crown, the $1.60 public elect. Another long neck away third was Spirit Of Umtali $4-60 for John Macmillan and two kilogram claiming apprentice Claudia Lions.

Supporters of the $2.80 favourite Brute Bernard were well pleased with themselves when the Byron Cozamanis prepared Troy Baker mount was the half length winner of the fifth race which was run over 1350 metres.

The progeny of Taimazov and the Don't Say Halo mare Chatsey, Brute Bernard was well placed and beat the David Halliday cared for Libby Hopwood ridden Snaamar $3. Emmooki Street $6 was a farther one and a quarter lengths away third for Mick Whittle and Matthew Neilson.

The $4-60 chance Ruined Castle was the three quarters of a length winner of the 1200 metre final event for trainer Stuart Padman and jockey Paul Gatt.

Sired by Rubiton from My Diamond Hope, a daughter of Vain Kariol, Ruined Castle raced mid field before going on to beat the $2.80 punter's choice Miami Ink for Scott Trenowden and jockey Ryan Plumb. Portrait Dane $21 was another two and a half lengths away filling the minor placing for Liz Garrick and Tamara Zanker.

© Cyberhorse 2010 Peter Neall Published 01/01/10