By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk
Russley trainer Kevin Townley is hoping his trio of runners at Addington Raceway on Friday can replicate their heroics from last weekend.
Townley recorded a treble for the weekend courtesy of Fire Fox, Escargo, and Vacation Hill, and he was particularly pleased with the latter’s first-up win against a smart field, including Horse of the Year contender Sundees Son, last Friday.
The four-year-old mare was given the perfect trip in the trail and Townley was buoyed by the way she extended towards the line to win by two lengths.
“I am just pleased that she has come up so good. You couldn’t ask for anymore from her, she went super,” Townley said.
“The fact that she was drawing clear at the finish made it a pretty nice win.”
The daughter of Muscle Hill will face a similar field from the stand on Friday where she has drawn the ace marble in the Gr.3 Fahey Fence Hire Ordeal Trotting Cup (2600m).
“As long as she begins safely, and is with them, they will know she’s there,” Townley said.
TAB bookmakers have installed Vacation Hill as an $8 equal third favourite alongside Majestic Lavros, with Sundees Son a short-priced favourite at $1.50, and Midnight Dash labelled a $6 winning chance.
Townley is also looking forward to watching his two other runners back-up and is interested to see how they will handle their rise in grade.
Escargo will contest the Calvert Cleaning Handicap Trot (2600m), while Fire Fox will line-up in the First Direct Taxis Mobile Pace (1980m).
“They got a good trip last weekend too, the whole three of them did,” Townley said.
“Escargo has got to go up a grade now and has to show that she can do that. Hopefully she can take that next step.
“Fire Fox has drawn a tricky draw of one on the second line. I think he will handle going up a class because of the times he can run.
“He set-up a 1:55 mile-rate for 2600m and just got pipped, so he can run the times. The rise in class shouldn’t worry him but he has got to get the run of course.”
