Star books city trip

Owner David Ford and trainer-driver Nathan Townsend were impressed with another stylish performance, this time in the Robin Hood at Yirrabee Pace (1720m) at the TAB twilight meeting on Sunday.

After being unplaced on debut, the five-year-old gelding has done everything right with successive wins at Young, Parkes and now twice at Dubbo.

Driven by Townsend and starting favourite at $3.80, Great Western Star had good gate speed to lead and eventually won by 6-1/2 metres from Gattrich Jack ($4.10) and Safe Guy.

Ford owned horses completed the quinella with the second place prepared by Phil O’Farrell and driven by Trent Naylor. Ford’s third starter in the race, Foolish Kiss was fifth.

While Ford has horses with several trainers, the winner is the first one prepared by Nathan Townsend.

“I’d been taking note of how horses were running for Nathan and decided to give him this horse, in fact he’s got two others who haven’t raced for us yet,” Ford said.

“This fellow is going extremely well and I’d like to think we can get a good draw at Harold Park on Friday night and use his good gate speed to advantage.

“We’ve entered him for a C2 to C4 race so hopefully there will

be two divisions and we’ll get a run.

“We’re also taking Gattrich Jack down as well and we’re also pleased with his run for second place on Sunday.

“The atmosphere at Harold Park this week will be great at the end of an era for the track becomes a reality after recently being sold.”

The second bonus for Ford was the winner’s mile rate of 2:00.7.

It was also a nice bonus for the Ford family who earlier in the week had to watch helplessly as their Hog’s Breath restaurant in Macquarie Street, Dubbo was severely damaged by flood waters.

“Things have certainly turned for the better since earlier last week,” Ford said.

“We got back into the restaurant on Friday night and our 30 staff are back on the payroll, so that’s good news for everyone.

“Then to come to the trots and see our horse win was brilliant.”