RACING AT THE COAST (SAT, FEB 28)

GOLD COAST:

Notes on racing at the Gold Coast on Saturday, February 28.

Trainer Alan Bailey was the only trainer to find success both in the city and at the coast on Saturday. Age Of Heroes did the honours at Eagle Farm and A Touch Of Frost saluted in the first race at the Gold Coast.

A Touch Of Frost was ridden by Chris Whiteley, who was one of two riders to ride a double on the card. Whiteley also scored in a $31 boil-over aboard the Brett Bellamy trained Mister Kuga in the fourth race.

Jockey Daniel Griffin, who has only recently returned to action following a five week break, also put two winners on the scoreboard. Griffin, who is no longer attached to the Gillian Heinrich stable, took the honours with Bad Girls Don’t Cry (for trainer Mel Eggleston) and Bringelly (for trainer John Morrisey).

The former won as a well-supported favourite on debut, while Bringelly was a bit harder to find. The gelding started at 14-1.


SUNSHINE COAST:

Notes on racing at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday, February 28.

It was the Adam Best show at the shortened six-race meeting at Coloundra on Saturday. The rider not only won four races on the card, but he won them in succession, which must go close to making it the longest winning sequence of any rider for some time.

Best has to work for his success with only one of his three winners being able to salute by more than a quarter-length margin.

Best’s winners, in sequence, were Heza Flashman (for trainer Michael Flanagan – starting favourite at $3.10), Woowoorooka (one of Best’s two winners for trainer Mark Webb – starting at $13), Nobby’s Mate (also for Mark Webb – favourite at $2.40) and Best completed his shut-out of his rivals over the last four races when guiding the $12 winner Worthy Quest (for trainer Tony Sears) to victory in the last.

Apprentice jockey Jana Piper scored her first win since coming back after having some time out of the saddle. She piloted Bevagna home for trainer Mick Mair in the opening event while Damian Browne scored his now customary winner when partnering the David Murphy trained Martha’s Vineyard to a comfortable success in the second race on the card.

Martha’s Vineyard started the shortest-priced favourite on the night and justified that confidence with a resounding 5.30 length victory, which was easily the biggest winning margin at the meeting.