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Diegos Diamond took out the feature race at Monday’s well attended Warragul trots meeting, the $10,000 Ken Miller Memorial Pace, the third winning drive for the afternoon for former local horsewoman Jodi Quinlan.
Quinlan doesn’t make it to Warragul all that often these days but was pleased to be back, and winning a race, which remembers a much respected local harness racing stalwart.
“It’s been a very good track to me and it’s still home really,” Quinlan said of the Warragul circuit.
As well as training and driving the feature race winner with Diegos Diamond, raced by her mother Cheryl, she also steered Judes Choice to win the second race and trained and drove Always Be Happy to win race five.
Diegos Diamond has been an honest horse for the Quinlans and placed in the Ken Miller race last year.
“He doesn’t have the ability of his brothers and sisters, but he’s nearly won more money than them,” Quinlan said.
“Everyone tries to buy him off us, but he’s a pet so he’s staying right where he is.”
The six-year-old has won four races from 70 starts, but has run 30 minor placings.
“It’s a great thing to win the race today because Ken was always a great friend to our family.”
Earlier Trafalgar horse Sovereign Tiger won the Des Kelly Memorial Handicap for the second year in succession for trainer Chris Hunter and his reinsman son Glenn.
The horse was second up from a spell and was rated perfectly in the 2210-metre feature.
“It’s just as exciting today,” Chris Hunter said of his win with Sovereign Tiger.
“I’ve been waiting for this race to come up to be honest and it worked out alright.”
Chris Hunter believes there are still plenty of wins in store for his horse.
“He’s a long way off his mark, yet. And standing starts aren’t really his best, as he missed away a little bit today.
“But he’s still got a chance in the standing starts as well, so we’ll keep moving along with him.”
Longwarry pace The Chancer was another local winner on the card and landed some good bets in the process.
Well driven by Jordan Chibnall, who sent the horse to the front of the field early from an awkward barrier draw, The Chancer is prepared by Geoff Walker for well-known owner Garry Rogers – the pair have combined for plenty of racetrack success over the years.
Cranbourne pacer Hes Olly won the first event on Monday, and Croydon-trained horse Lotakevi won the third race at start 179, a good advertisement for the durability of the standardbred horse.
Trotting returns to Warragul on Sunday July 2nd.
Photos are of friend and family of the late Ken Miller with race winning trainer/driver Jodi Quinlan, and Glenn Hunter with Sovereign Tiger after the Des Kelly Memorial event