Trade War ends long drought with strong sprint home, Hot Chatter continues hot form of Bayliss stable

Boyanup trainer Michael Lane continued his strong 2023-24 season when Trade War broke through for a long-awaited win in Albany on Thursday. Lane had two runners at Percy Spencer Racecourse last week but Trade War ended a winning drought of almost a year, when claiming the Gangemi Racing Bluff Knoll Slot Holder Handicap (1230m). Apprentice Cassey Martinan had the six-year-old gelding in a strong position in running and they finished strongly in the home straight to edge out Storm Commander by a neck. Trade War ($8.50) carried 57kg with Martinan’s claim and scored his first win since December 2022. Henry The Aviator jumped a $2.05 favourite in the race and charged home to run third, beaten 1.9 lengths. Lane has scored 11 winners from just 51 runners this season, including seven in the provincial area. Albany trainer Rebecca Bayliss scored her fourth winner of the Great Southern season, after the impressive Hot Chatter won at her third start for the stable. Hot Chatter ran an eye-catching second to Bayliss’s young star Final Siren in Albany on November 19 and led from start to finish for rider Madi Derrick over 1230m at her third start this preparation. Speeding along in front, Hot Chatter ($8.50) had enough in the tank to hold out Odinaka ($8.50) and Vonsnip ($6.50) while $2 favourite Heeza Beau ran fourth. The result adds to two victories from Final Siren during the season and a smart return by Beau Zoom for the rising stable. Consistent galloper Rock Of Kaha rounded out the action with a win over 1600m for Albany trainer Jonathon Jachmann. Rock Of Kaha made it back-to-back wins, coming from sixth on the turn to claim the final event by one length over Let Her Boogie. It was the fourth win over 1600m for the six-year-old gelding and eighth from 39 career starts.