All’s well with Attwell after Mt Barker, Ascot delight

It has been a successful weekend for local trainer Des Attwell after firstly training a winner in Mt Barker last week and then owning a winner on day three of the Masters carnival at Ascot on Saturday.

Attwell, a small-scale hobby trainer, saddled up Lady Stingray to win the final race at last Friday’s seven-race card at the Mt Barker Turf Club.

His joy then followed on to Saturday afternoon when the Attwell-owned Candlelight Star charged home to win the Vale Bill Doughty Handicap (1200m) with top WA hoop Damien Lane in the saddle.

Candlelight Star, now trained by Adam Durrant, took his stake money earnings above $200,000 after Lane settled the grey near the tail and then asking for a big sprint in the home straight.

The eight-year-old gelding beat fellow Albany runner Minus Looks by 1½ lengths and has now won seven of his 33 career starts.

Rising sprinter Lady Stingray showed a terrific turn of foot, skipping clear of her rivals to win by 1½ lengths for rider Ryan Hill on Friday. Jumping from barrier nine, the five-year-old mare was perfectly placed in running by Hill and the second-up triumph has Attwell bullish.

“The race the other day was just a bit too far for her,” Attwell said.

“She’ll improve on that as well.

“I always thought she had to lead but they went hard in front and she got a lovely sit behind.”

Hill, in a rare appearance in the Great Southern, finished with a double after guiding the well supported Glimmer Girl to victory in race 5 for Ascot trainer Martin Allan.

Talented local sprinter Bindaree Lady produced the most impressive performance of the day, fighting back strongly after being challenged in the home straight in the Peter Bassett Handicap (1100m).

Racing first-up without a trial, jockey Lucas Camilleri urged the Dixie Solly-trained mare to the line under hard riding as she fought off You Watching Me and Tranquilla Sunrise.

Breeder Colin Davey said Bindaree Lady had returned in terrific style and would be set for a big campaign before heading to stud at the end of the season.

Old marvel Toned showed that age is no barrier when he scored a dominant 1¾ length win over 1850m at start No.123.

The 10-year-old veteran, trained by Mark Bairstow, was won 14 times now and was given a perfect run by hoop Mitchell Pateman.

In Saturday’s listed Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m) at Ascot, local mare Prix D’Excellence led the field before tiring to run last, beaten more than 12 lengths.