Secret Operation causes upset in $10,000 feature race for Albany trainer Bob Poolman

Albany trainer Bob Poolman caused an upset in the $10,000 Imagecrete Classic Entries & Geldings RWWA Feature Westbred Pace (2265m) with Secret Operation on Friday night.

The Albany Harness Racing Club returned to action but the eight-race program was closed to the general public because of COVID-19 restrictions implemented by Racing and Wagering WA.

Secret Operation, a four-year-old gelding, jumped as a $26 chance in the seven-horse field but proved too strong for his rivals by winning the $10,000 feature event by 6.3m.

After settling in the front half of the field in running, driver Shane Butterworth unleashed Secret Operation and he quickly swept up to take the lead with 300m to go before racing away in the straight to claim victory.

Butterworth finished with a winning double in the sulky after guiding the Ken Davies-trained Yanaha Navajo to victory in race seven by a dominant 27.1m.

Busselton trainer Barry Howlett dominated the program, scoring four winners from his five runners.

Howlett prepared $1.26 favourite Just For Love to victory in race two for Ashleigh Markham before Shoot Through, driven by Bailey McDonough, claimed race three by 7.4m to hand Howlett an early double.

Smart Fortune took out race five for Howlett and Mark Johnson by 1.9m before Howlett ended the night on a winning note with Bazza Mac winning the final race on the program for driver Trent Wheeler by 3.9m.

Reinsman McDonough had a winning double after he guided Toto Picasso to victory in race six by 2.3m, while Markham started the night with a double as well after he drove Pocket More For Less to win race one for Albany trainer Jemma Collins.