Leading trainer Steve Wolfe ends successful season on winning note as wet Albany meet closes 2021-22

Trainers Adam Durrant and Graeme Ballantyne and jockeys Clint Johnston-Porter, Jason Whiting and Joseph Azzopardi all finished with winning doubles at the final meeting of the Great Southern season on Sunday. In wet and gloomy conditions the last meeting of 2021-22 was held at Percy Spencer Racecourse in Albany and the track was downgraded from a soft seven to a heavy eight for the final four races. Durrant and Johnston-Porter tasted success early at the meet after an impressive win from exciting filly Salacia Queen. Having just her fourth start, the Maschino filly jumped a $2.60 favourite in the ARC Leading Senior Rider Maiden (1240m) and settled in the back half of the field. Johnston-Porter brought Salacia Queen to the outside of the track in the home straight and she let down strongly to hold out Moving On by nearly a length on the finish line. Passion Prince relished the heavy going later in the day to hand Durrant and Johnston-Porter a double. Despite drawing poorly in barrier 10, Passion Prince ($8.50) was expertly ridden by Johnston-Porter and given time to settle in the back half before coming to the outside running rail and charging home to win by more than a length. It was a commanding second-up performance from the Savabeel gelding and his second win in four career starts. Karnup trainer Ballantyne notched two winners on the eight-race card after Dusty’s Got Talent and Diplomat Express both saluted. Dusty’s Got Talent overcame a wide barrier to break his maiden status in the first race of the day over 1600m. Jockey Jason Whiting got the best out of the three-year-old in the home straight as they held off Oddoneout and Ultimate Style. Veteran stayer Diplomat Express ended a 662-day winning drought when he proved far too strong in the Great Southern Awards Night May 26 At Motel Le Grande Handicap (1940m). Apprentice Jett Stanley powered the 10-year-old gelding to the line, the pair surging clear late to win by nearly two lengths in the heavy conditions. Azzopardi brought up a winning double aboard Prince Ragnar and Policiere. The Roy Rogers-trained Prince Ragnar dominated race four over 1240m, leading from start to finish to make it two wins in five starts for his new stable. Policiere ($7.30) then recorded her fourth career win after a slashing effort in the Western Racepix Horse Of The Year Handicap (1240m). The three-year-old filly was sent straight to the front by Azzopardi and was never headed, beating favourite Billy Rae by 2.3 lengths. Whiting brought up his double in the last race with consistent type Classic Magnus, who edged out Blue Line by a half-head in a photo finish. Albany trainer Steve Wolfe had already stitched up another Great Southern Trainer of the Year title but ended the season with another winner, Main Engine who was plunged in betting before taking out in race three in comfortable fashion.