The Roan Ranger breaks winning drought in big fashion, Steve Wolfe enjoys treble and local jockey suspended

The Roan Ranger broke a lengthy drought in Albany on Thursday, scoring his first victory since 2020 after producing a dominant staying performance. Trained in Capel by Paul Roberts, The Roan Ranger was a slashing winner of the Albany Stockfeeds Handicap (1934m) with jockey Holly Watson aboard. Well supported into a $2.70 favourite, the grey gelding carried 60.5kg and settled last in the field of eight but was on the move approaching the home corner. Watson booted The Roan Ranger into top gear in the home straight as they surged clear to destroy their rivals and win by nearly five lengths. The result ended a 1074-day winning drought for the eight-year-old who had 14 minor placings and one win from his first 39 career starts. The Roan Ranger broke his maiden status at Pinjarra in December 2020 but has been a frustrating horse for Roberts since then. Albany trainer Steve Wolfe finished with a winning treble on the seven-race card, which was moved to Albany after Mt Barker Turf Club failed another track inspection. Divine Mercy ($2.20) was a strong winner in the Vale Kenny Jackson Handicap (1934m) for Wolfe and Albany jockey Natasha Faithfull. Faithfull positioned the five-year-old fourth in running and they sprinted home strongly after being held up on straightening to defeat Hoist The Colours ($7) by 1.4 lengths on the line. It was a third win in 25 career starts for Divine Mercy and was the second leg of Wolfe’s treble. Safe Rappa ($6) broke his maiden status at his 12th start when he claimed the opening race over 1240m. Ridden by Alan Kennedy, Safe Rappa settled on speed and got over the top of leader Rosentrea to salute by a half-length. Millivoy overcame a wide draw to score his third career win, getting the better of his rivals in race six over 1240m. Faithfull landed the five-year-old, who jumped a $2.60 favourite, better than midfield despite drawing barrier seven and they produced a powerful finish to beat Lucky Landing ($3.70) by nearly one length. The win came on the back of a strong first-up effort from Millivoy in Albany on November 30, running second to the in-form Oxbridge. Apprentice Luke Campbell saluted aboard Ultimate Style in the TABtouch Handicap (1240m) for visiting co-trainers Dan and Ben Pearce. In a competitive betting race, Ultimate Style started a $3.90 chance in the field of six as Wolfe’s Ex Sport Man who won the 2021 Karrakatta Plate held favouritism at $3.60. Despite settling near last, Ultimate Style charged past his rivals in the final 200m to win by a half-length over Blue Line while outside Lacevinsky was third. Ex Sport Man was slow to begin for Kennedy and failed to fire a shot, finishing last and beaten more than four lengths. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Boyanup trainer Michael Lane again had success with Simply Rosso ($3.40) leading all of the way over 1100m in race six for hoop Kyra Yuill. Albany-raised trainer Indianna Weinert won final race of the day over 1240m, as Imposing Brook ($11) fought on strongly to edge out Stay Wealthy ($17) by a head on the line. Madame Pro ran third and Weinert’s Prancing In Milan flew home to grab fourth. Faithfull’s double came at a cost however, copping an 11-day careless riding suspension in race seven. She pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding after allowing her mount Missallure to shift outwards near the 125m which resulted in Strictly Cash being crowded and restrained. Faithfull will begin the ban after this Thursday’s meeting in Albany. When considering her penalty, stewards determined the level of carelessness was low to mid-range — one horse was restrained, a guilty plea and a fair record with 120 rides since her last suspension. She was also reprimanded for careless riding on Sir Bear A Lot in race one while Wolfe was fined $50 for use of the club’s colours on Safe Rappa.