Chloe Chatfield rode a double on Thursday

By Geoff Whittle - www.grassrootsracingwa.com

On a day where we selected four of the eight winners at good odds, apprentice Chloe Chatfield maintained her great form in the saddle with a double at Northam on Thursday. This was following a Saturday city win aboard Can Time at Belmont last week and then wins at the same track on Wednesday astride Tax Time and Late Night Flight.

Race three at Northam the Chivas Regal Maiden saw Chatfield pilot Robyn Lockwood’s Narva to his first win. A 3¾ length win resulted after he was allowed to roll along in front.

Run over 2200 metres the fourth event gave potential staying maidens the chance to prove themselves. Cardera, a mare placed at 2000 metres was sent to an early lead by Chatfield and after setting a brisk pace was given breather mid-race and then rallied well in the straight to hold off Marleycombe by half-a-length.

Cardera is trained by Michael Morton at Harvey and was well over the odds, returning $13.20 for followers of selections on the meeting.

Locally prepared 2007 $50,000 Northam Sprint winner Certain Gold took out the main event at Northam on Thursday, giving local racegoers a thrill.

The 1400 metre Wild Turkey Handicap saw the Kevin Anderson trained gelding had not won since September 2007 at York but his recent form indicated an impending win.

Jockey John Claite bought Certain Gold ($6) with a strong run down the outskirts of the track and he grabbed High Exposure near the post, winning by a head. Claite also rode him in his sprint win.

The Avon Valley fraternity were also celebrating after the 1000 metre G H Mumm Maiden, race one after the locally trainer Melody Miss broke through.

Trained by Jesse Moore, better known for his exploits for many seasons in harness racing with several high-class pacers, Melody Miss at $4 was ridden in a prominent position by Dan Staeck. She proved a little too good for the Hana Dickson prepared WA debutant Bletchley School, Hippocrates and Paul Harvey on Wocket In A Pocket ($4.20) close up after getting well back in running.

Harvey made amends for followers in the second event with the well supported John Bowtell produced Dargon ($2.50) who got home by 1½ lengths in the 1300 metre Jacob’s Creek Maiden after having after perfect run, third in transit.

Pa Chi Bear caught the eye by flashing home from last for Jessica Valas to grab second from pacemaker Superior Speed who was taken on in front.

The first leg of the quaddie race five, was taken out by the Dan Morton prepared Chok Dee ridden by Jason Brown but was marred by William Pike being dislodged from the well-fancied $4.20 chance Heart Ache at the start. The horse then proceeded riderless.

Brown took advantage of the cut-away rail in the straight to come from fifth on the turn to win by half-a-length from Sweet Dane and Port Johnson.

Trainer David Harrison produced Agribiz in fine fettle first up and the speedy mare showed courage to lead all the way under rider Takahide Ikenushi.

Agribiz looked beaten when joined by Jackass 200 metres from home, then Dan The Fox and Petit Maison chimed in near the post but she held on to win by a long neck at the each odds of $6.

Minnie May was sent out at good odds ($19.90) in the final Avon Valley event but in an open race grabbed victory from outsider McStark and Akhenhome.

Jessica Valas bought the Liz Strempel trained mare with a well timed run to boost the TAB quaddie to over $19,500.