Home

Winning treble gives trainer Hayden Reeves slim lead over Barry Howlett in title race

Taj StubberAlbany Advertiser
Driver Bailey McDonough after winning the 2021 Wellington and Reeves Albany Cup with the Hayden Reeves-trained Thomson Bay.
Camera IconDriver Bailey McDonough after winning the 2021 Wellington and Reeves Albany Cup with the Hayden Reeves-trained Thomson Bay. Credit: Taj Stubber

With just two meetings left in the season, Coolup trainer Hayden Reeves has taken the lead in the Albany trainers’ premiership.

Reeves sat second behind Barry Howlett heading into Friday night’s meeting but took the lead after notching a winning treble.

He sits four points clear of Howlett at the top, after the latter also notched a victory on the nine-race program.

Reeves started off the night with seven-year-old Deenaalee defeating favourite Phi Phi Island by 1.5m with Madeline Young in the sulky.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Albany Cup winner Thomson Bay was the second leg of the winning treble after going past favourite Star Of The Class in the straight to win by 5.8m in race five.

Reeves teamed up with Trent Wheeler to score a victory with hot $1.55 favourite Bountiful Reactor, winning race seven by 2.7m.

McDonough notched a winning double in the sulky after guiding the Peter Anderson-trained Eagle Royalty to victory by 3.6m in race one at the short quote of $1.07.

Wheeler also drove a winning double as he teamed up with the Adrian Shanks-trained Grapellies Boy in race four, as they went on to win by a commanding 24.3m after starting a $1.75 favourite.

Trainer-driver Ashleigh Markham took out race eight on the program, with Matai Reactor winning by a dominant 10.8m to down favourite Amelia Rocks.

Other winners on the night were Trois Fontaine (race two) for Jemma Collins and Tim Stone, while Smart Fortune won race six for Barry Howlett and Mark Johnson, and Billyjacks Mate won the final race for Wayne Justins and his son, Jack.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails