Winning treble to Barry Howlett on memorial night in Albany, Chasing Hills sets track record

Busselton trainer Barry Howlett scored a winning treble on memorial night at Harold Reid Paceway on Saturday.

Howlett won the first two races on the program and then rounded out the card with victory to Georgias Blossom, which also handed reinsman Aldo Cortopassi a double.

Georgias Blossom started from the second row in the David Rule Memorial Maiden (2265m) and was three-wide on the bell lap before Cortopassi struck.

The seven-year-old mare raced to the front and destroyed her rivals in the final circuit to win by 18.7m and justify her short $1.52 price.

It was just the second career start for Georgias Blossom after running 11th on debut for Howlett at Pinjarra on January 3.

The result rounded out Howlett’s treble after earlier scoring victories with Sugar Delight and Star Glance.

Sugar Delight could not have been more impressive in winning the George Hodgson Memorial 3YO Maiden (2265m) for Howlett and Cortopassi.

The three-year-old filly jumped a $1.28 favourite and led from start to finish with a winning margin of 32.4m over the second placed Double The Ante ($21).

Howlett’s Star Glance won a thrilling finish to the Joyce Pollard Memorial (2265m) with Emily Suvaljko in the sulky.

Star Glance ($3.80) was wide early after starting from gate six on the front line but eventually found the lead and then had to hold out the fast-finishing Bazaar Package ($4.80) to claim the race by a short half-head.

Michael Young, who holds a significant lead in the Albany Harness Racing Club trainer of the year standings, tasted success on the night with Chasing Hill.

Chasing Hill ($1.50) set a track record in a blistering performance in the Trevor Draper Memorial RWWA Westbred E, C & G Feature (2265m).

Driven by Stuart McDonald, the five-year-old pacer was the leader at the bell lap and then sprinted clear on the final lap to win by 20.7m in a sizzling time of 2min.44.7secs.

Local pacer Kolisi won the Harold Reid Memorial (2265m) for Lowlands trainer Terry Dymock and driver Emily Johnson.

Kolisi ($12) came from well back in the field to get over the top of the Young-trained Chillin ($1.60) by 1.1m on the line.

The Tom Minchin Memorial (2265m) was taken out by Batavia Blackhole, who edged out Maddy Maddy by a half-head.

The Hayden Reeves-trained Batavia Blackhole ($21) rocketed home for reinsman Aiden De Campo to score a 13th career win.

Narrogin’s Swanbourne Spunk proved far too strong in the Mildred Truslove Memorial (2265m) for trainer Jeremy Thornton and driver Hayden Charles, getting up at $15.