Short-priced favourites dominate seven-race card at Albany Harness Racing Club

Leading combination Barry Howlett and Chris Voak finished with a winning double at Albany’s Harold Reid Paceway on Saturday night.

Howlett prepared both Sugarloaf and Just For Love, who were driven to victory by champion reinsman Voak at the seven-race meeting.

It was a night for favourite backers, with five horses sent out as favourites in the seven races saluting, including both of the Howlett runners.

Sugarloaf was a dominant winner in the Harry Capararo Memorial Prelude (1832m), justifying his short price of $1.50.

Starting from the second line, the four-year-old was wide early in the race before working forward to lead at the bell for Voak.

The pair were in a class of their own on the final lap, clearing out to win by 22.2m over Girl In Cover in a slashing performance.

Sugarloaf has now won his two career starts, the Albany win coming on the back of a debut win at Bunbury on November 23.

Howlett and Voak then took out race five over 2265m with raging $1.45 favourite Just For Love.

The five-year-old mare showed terrific speed early in the event and took up the lead where she was never headed, going on to win by 3.2m over Tubbs Farquhar ($11 chance).

The result was a breakthrough win for Just For Love who last tasted victory in March 2021.

Driver Emily Johnson also had two victories on the card, steering the Errol Ashcroft-trained Captains Cote home in the J&S Castlehow Electrical Pace (1832m).

Captains Cote ($1.85) made it successive wins in Albany coming from back in the field to power over the top of Jades Fortune in the concluding stages and win by a half-head.

Johnson made it two wins after $1.50 favourite Cold Hard Cash led all of the way in the final race of the night over 2265m.

The Aiden De Campo-trained gelding has now won his last two starts after previously saluting in Narrogin back in July.

The other favourite to win at the meeting was Galeocerdo Cuvier, trained by Leo Wallrodt and driven by Cody Wallrodt, who prevailed in a thrilling finish to the opening race.