Trainer Hayden Reeves enjoys winning double on opening night in Albany, driver Aldo Cortopassi with a treble

Trainer Hayden Reeves kicked off the new Albany Harness Racing Club season with a winning double on Friday night.

Veteran pacer Tubbs Farquhar scored victory at his 100th career start, marking the second leg of Reeves’ double.

Jumping a $9.50 chance, Tubbs Farquhar was fired straight to the front by Reeves from gate five on the front line and dictated terms.

The eight-year-old gelding led throughout and held out a challenge from the fast-finishing Jackpot Joe who started a $1.32 favourite, to claim a 2m victory in the SOS Office Equipment 4YO Pace (2690m).

Earlier Reeves, who has won the past three AHRC trainers premierships, was successful with Batavia Blackhole in race four over 2265m, saluting at $14.

Reinsman Aaron Suvaljko drove the 11-year-old to the front from gate five on the front line and they were never headed.

Batavia Blackhole was urged to the line in the dying stages, to edge out the Peter Anderson-trained Rusinol ($3.30) by a half-head on the line while Keptain Courageous ($6.50) and Deep Blue ($12) were a neck away in third and fourth respectively.

Trainer Barry Howlett finished with a winning double on the eight-race card.

Dance Steps ($3.40) was a comfortable winner of race three, coming from the second line to win by 7.6m for driver Aldo Cortopassi.

The mare came from three back on the final lap to reel in Our Eagle Bay ($3.50) and American Monarch ($2.90) in the home straight.

Four-year-old Hilarious Reign ($7.50) rounded out the Howlett double, claiming the Albany Pony Trots Pace (2265m).

Cortopassi had the pacer outside the leader on the bell lap and they prevailed by a half-head in a thrilling finish, with the $2.20 favourite Brodie Boy settling for second place.

It was a big night for Cortopassi as he landed a treble, getting Batavia Streamline across the line in race seven for trainer David Goulden.

The Alkoomi Wines 4YO Westbred Pace (2265m) was won by trainer-driver Wesley Andrews as The Beach Master broke his maiden status.

Andrews led throughout on the gelding and they saluted at short $1.28 odds, beating home Just Cruzin by 2.4m.

The opening race at Harold Reid Paceway was a cracker — Alta Maguire from the Cody Wallrodt stable winning by a head.

Your Grace broke his maiden status in race two run over 1832m, with driver Tommy Sheehy getting the Jemma Hayman pacer up by 2.9m over the Reeves-trained Lucy Helen.

This Friday’s meeting at AHRC will be headlined by the running of the Christmas Cup.