Bianca Ashcroft and reinsman Kyle Harper after Triple Brie's win at Collie on Sunday. Photo by Photography by Jessica Joy Photography.
Sunday at Collie was a first for local trainer Bianca Ashcroft, with the 34-year-old not only taking out the Leading Club Trainer and Leading Club Pacer Awards with her beloved Fleur Du Marquis, but Ashcroft also claimed her first race quinella with her ‘cheese girls’ Triple Brie and Fleur Du Maquis. The mares ran first and second in race 4 on the card, even more special with the horses being full sisters; bred by Bianca both are by Betterthancheddar out of Shattering Roxy.
“It was thrilling, I’m really happy with my 'cheeses',” said Bianca.
“You can never be confident in standing starts with those two and thought Brie blew her chance at winning, but she’s quite tough little pony.”
Triple Brie started as the $2.50 favourite over the 2670m standing start, and after an indiscretion at the start Ashcroft thought she may have blown her chances, but after working her way back into the race with Kyle Harper in the cart, the two faced the breeze with over a lap to go, going on to win by 1.8m over stable mate Fleur Du Maquis and Kyle Symington.
“I really want to thank the Kyles for their drives yesterday on the girls.” Ashcroft said.
It was a successful day for sire Betterthancheddar with the now Canadian stood stallion taking wins in two races on the day, but also claiming the trifecta in race four. Nomorecheeseplease took out race two for Shane De Campo and Emily Johnson, just four starts into his campaign with his new connections.
The day at Collie signified the last of the season at the small country club, with the feature of the day the $11,000 2022 Bendigo Bank Collie Cup going the way of the Callan Suvaljko trained and reined runner Ardens Horizon NZ, just weeks after the 4-year old contested and took fourth placing in the $200,000 3YO Gr1 WA Derby.
With the Cup over the 2670m standing start, Ardens Horizon NZ wasn’t the cleanest away off his 10m handicap, but after quickly getting back into his gear, Suvaljko worked the three-year-old forward to take the lead, eventually skipping away to win by the 15.6m, with Suvaljko training third place getter as well in Skippys Delight.
With the Collie Harness Racing Club's season now at an end, the Club awarded Brian and Cally Ellis with Life Memberships at their last meeting for 2022.