The village of Whitton in the Leeton Shire area boasts a population of less than 400 people but it is in the heart of a healthy harness racing area where a lot of horses are trained.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hobby trainer Garry Maxwell only has a few horses in work and he and his wife Fiona made the long trip north to Parkes on Saturday evening where they landed a winning double.
The first leg of Maxwell's double came up in the opening event on the program, the Parkes Leagues Club Pace (1660m) when Mo Rolling scored at the bolter's odds of $39.50.
Maxwell was content to take a sit from barrier one in the charge to the first turn and Mo Rolling settled well in the box seat, following a speed that was not overly fast.
Bella Cruise ($3.70) led and driver Murray Sullivan gave the filly every chance in front, racing her to perfection.
On the home turn, it appeared as though Bella Cruise had the race in her keeping but shortly after Mo Rolling found a gap and sprinted too well over the final stages to score by one and a quarter metres.
Seville Lady ($3.80, Jason Gaffney) made its move down the back with 500 metres to travel and she did appear to have her chance but had to settle for third, four metres from the winner.
With confidence on his side, Garry Maxwell lined up in the following race, the Mitavite Parkes To Cowra Series - Heat One (2040m) with Sizzling Maxwell ($17.30) but this time he rushed out of gate four to take up the running.
Sizzling Maxwell settled well in front and despite being worried a little by the odds on favourite, Three Point Turn ($1.50, Murray Sullivan) he was able to maintain an advantage and broke clear in the run home to score by four and three quarter metres.
Three Point Turn held on for second while Bellas Charm ($7.50, Andrew Ward) ran third after sitting off the pace throughout.
It was a case of put in and take out for Narrandera trainer, driver, David Kennedy and his smart three-year-old, Eagles Ace ($1.30) in the Commercial Hotel Parkes To Cowra Series - Heat Two (2040m).
The gelding had little trouble leading from barrier five in the small field and it was always going to be a case of "how far" after Kennedy was able to set a mediocre pace for the first half of the race.
Runner-up Josam Bay ($10.70, Kurt Lew) travelled well on Eagles Ace's back but had no answers over the last quarter with the winner putting a space of 21 metres between them.
Boysinblue ($79.60, Gary Williams) came from back in the pack to run third, a further two metres back.
Parkes Harness Racing Club will conduct its next meeting on Saturday evening, August 16.