WHEN Anthony Frisby climbed in the gig behind Rave On Rabbits at the Bathurst Paceway on Wednesday night, he knew he had a form runner at his disposal.
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Now others know it as well.
With the speed on early in the Thank You Ben Hagney Pace (1,730 metres) – the first half of the last mile covered in 55.5 seconds - Frisby patiently waited in the trail with the Dennis Picker trainer four-year-old.
His chance came at the top of the home straight, Frisby peeling three wide to get Rave On Rabbits into the clear. From there he did the rest.
“It was pretty slick there in that first half there and he was in a pretty good position,” Frisby said.
“I didn’t know how long they would hold on, but they stopped pretty quick when they did and we got out.
“I have driven him before, I drove him at Orange, Towac Park, and he went super. He was second up in the final there, but he just didn’t get racing room.
“I watched him at Young the other night and he hit the line really well, so he’s in good form.”
That win at Young on March 21 saw Rave On Rabbits start Wednesday’s race as the $6.30 second elect, Steve Turnbull’s Always Rockin holding $1.60 favouritism.
Always Rockin was prominent early as he sat outside leader Ima Black Beauty, but the tempo that pair set up front took its toll.
On the other hand, Rave On Rabbits hit the line well, winning by 1.8m over Tulhurst Santanna ($32.10), while $97.50 long shot Tim McGee claimed third for Trent Rue.
Wednesday night also saw the running of the Sales Graduate heats for two-year-olds – one for fillies and the other for colts and geldings.
In the fillies 1,730 metres contest, Georges Plains reinsman Mat Rue got the job done aboard the Sam Hewitt, Goulburn trained Fastnflashy.
In three prior starts the Art Major x Learjet filly had little luck – she broke on debut, was held up in her second start, then got checked in her Gold Tiara heat at Bathurst.
But this time, racing as a $10.10 chance, she got the job done. She won by 1.9m over $1.20 favourite Ally Rogan.
In the colts and geldings heat it was Amanda Turnbull’s Shoobee Doo who got the nod, living up to his $1.20 favouritism.
Turnbull sat at the rear early after going from barrier eight, but rolled up three-wide into the death seat as the bell sounded.
The Shoobes Place x Lavish Art colt then kicked clear in the final 100m to claim the win, covering the final quarter in a zippy 27.1 seconds.
He finished 4.4m ahead of Just Dessy ($18.90).
