At the meeting, pacer Peppercorn Barry, a six-year-old gelding by Union Guy, broke through for his first win — at his 41st try.
Driven a perfect race by Stanhope horseman Mak Pitt the Kyabram-trained pacer accounted for the well supported John McLean-prepared Princess Arana, who made the pace, with Damian Wilson in the sulky and the 150/1 shot Here Comes Lenny.
Peppercorn Barry boasted eight minor placings going into the race but two runners-up finishes at his previous two starts suggested his ‘duck’ was about to be burst.
And that’s what happened.
Trainer Kristy Butler said although Peppercorn Barry had had 40 starts without a win, she has had the pacer in her stable for only his last three starts.
‘‘He ran second at his first two starts for us so we knew he was ready to win,’’ Butler, who cut her teeth in the training ranks in Tasmania, said.
The Pacing for Pink Day meeting proved a big day for Stanhope horseman Pitt and his wife Lisa who bagged three winners between them.
Apart from Peppercorn Barry, Mark Pitt also partnered the Shane Sanderson-trained Gotta Hav Me to an impressive victory.
Pitt’s wife Lisa was not to be outdone by her hubby at the meeting and produced the well named Soap And Bubbles for her third win in four starts, completing a hat-trick with her latest win.
By Lather Up the three-year-old filly took on the older horses and with her trainer Lisa in the sulky in the all females drivers race proved more than up to the challenge.
Lisa was able to get Soap And Bubbles into a one-one sit from a second row draw early before rolling the dice at the bell lap to take the spot outside the pacemaker Mussel Shoals before surging to the front in the home straight and then holding off a late challenge from Wicked Mitzi.
The Pitts’ Shepparton wins came after Mark had partnered the Emma Stewart-trained Meteor Moth to victory at Melton the previous night.
And it got even better for Mark Pitt at last Saturday night’s mega meeting at Menangle in NSW.
He drove three winners for premier Victorian trainer Emma Stewart including two of the feature events, the $100,000 MacCarther Mile for trotters, Susan Is Her Name, and the two-year-old $50, 00 Pink Bonnett in which he partnered Quatro Moth.
Susan Is Her Name wrote herself into the record books with her win.
She became the first horse to beat the boom trotter, fellow Victorian Keayang Zahara, who was unbeaten in 16 starts going into the race.
Pitt’s other winner was unbeaten The Narcissist, another of the all conquering Stewart team.
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