Pasajero an impressive Albany winner while Rogers, Faithfull and Azzopardi chalk up winning doubles

Pasajero continued a great season for emerging trainer Holly Taylor after powering to an impressive win at Albany Racing Club on Friday. Taylor, who is from Albany, chalked up her ninth winner of the WA season after Pasajero proved too strong in the Albany Stock Feeds Handicap (1100m). Ridden by new apprentice Cassey Martinan, Pasajero settled just off the speed before clearing out in the home straight to score by one length over Classic Magnus while $3.10 favourite Oristano ran fourth. Pasajero’s last win was in November 2019 and the nine-year-old had a short break before resuming with a fifth behind Silkinize on March 16 at Ascot. The gelding carried 52.5kg after the claim of Martinan and went on to notch a fifth win in 35 career starts. Albany trainer Roy Rogers had a winning double on the seven-race card and local jockey Natasha Faithfull and experienced rider Joey Azzopardi also each finished with two winners. Faithfull was successful aboard Vrum who demolished his rivals over 1232m in race three. Trained by Natasha’s mum Samantha Faithfull, Vrum knuckled at the start but recovered to take the early lead. Faithfull kicked the five-year-old clear at the top of the home straight and she finished powerfully, winning by 4.7 lengths over Currimundi. Later in the day Faithfull saluted aboard the Steve Wolfe-trained Ginger Green, who showed an impressive turn of foot in the Calcutta Saturday 16th April At ARC Handicap (1500m). Ginger Green started a $3.10 favourite in a wide-open betting affair and Faithfull pounced nearing the home turn, to defeat Snippagem by nearly a length. The son of Gingerbread Man has now won twice and has seven other minor placings in 11 career starts. Rogers won the final two races at Percy Spencer Racecourse with Artie’s Comet and Classic Jack. Classic Jack broke through for a deserving win over 1925m on the back of a couple of recent eye-catching performances. The grey galloper nailed Soviet Spy and Eurasia in the shadows of the post for hoop Chris Nicoll. Artie’s Comet won his first race since being transferred to the Rogers stable, as Azzopardi raced up on the cutaway to gun down Hip Wiggle in the home straight of the Pelicans Handicap (1600m). Azzopardi booted home short-priced favourite Tizzle Top for trainer Lindsey Smith in maiden company to kick off the card. Albany trainer Paul Hunter had a quinella in race two as Henry The Aviator defeated stablemate Red Orca. Henry The Aviator produced a terrific run in class two company last start running second and then scored a 1.5-length win dropping back to maiden grade on Friday. Red Orca edged out Colour Me Son for second while the well-supported Wicked Cool was disappointing and finished fifth. Meanwhile, Ex Sport Man made a terrific return to racing at Ascot on Saturday, storming home to run third first-up for the Wolfe stable. Last year’s Karrakatta Plate winner was spelled after running 11th in the WA Guineas in November last year. The talented three-year-old was asked for little effort in a recent barrier trial and resumed in the Amelia Park Wines Handicap (1400m). Ex Sport Man settled last for jockey Andrew Castle and rocketed home to finish third behind Comes A Time while running the fastest final 600m time of the race.