The Luck Changes…..

AFTER a luckless run at her previous start at Flemington, the Lee and Shannon Hope-trained “Choose” ($4.60) made amends on the same track on Saturday.

The New Zealand-bed four-year-old daughter of “Starcraft x Choices Are”was given a perfect ride by leading rider Craig Williams in taking out the $80,000 Leonard F&M Handicap (1400m). Choose defeated Counted ($10) and Kiss Me Ketut ($10).

The win was the mare’s first since her first three career victories.

“She’s been a little bit unlucky lately and after winning her first three she just struggled a bit finding the right grade,” Lee Hope said.

“She’s a good tough mare. It was pleasing win.”

The mare will most likely have her next run back at Flemington on the 31st of this month in a similar fillies and mares’ race over the same distance.

“Benalla winner”

The Hopes were back in the winner’s stall along with a number of Choose’s owners the following day at Benalla with “Danvito” ($3).

It was back-to-back Benalla wins for the four-year-old gelded son of“Danroad x Pure Indulgence” in taking out the Hygain 0-58 Handicap (1206m).

Ridden by Regan Bayliss who claimed the 1.5 kilograms off the 60kgs, the promising apprentice took the gelding to the lead shortly after barrier rise and was never headed to defeat Auramour ($9) by a length with Cheap Tycoon ($61) third.

Danvito was purchased at the same New Zealand RTR sale as his stablemate, Choose, for a bargain $16,000!

“He’s a lot stronger this time in and he is building in confidence,” Carol Shinn said.

“He’s shown, and the breeding suggests, he is a wet tracker so we’ll give him another run and may put him out and save him for the winter,” she said.

Danvito has now won two races with as many minor placings from his eight starts.

By

“Pegs”