Making yet another comeback after being badly injured, Kath Bell-Pitomac thrilled her many supporters with a brilliant ride to win aboard Andale on Monday, June 23 at Narromine. The 42-year-old mother of two teenagers, who has suffered seemingly career ending injuries on several occasions, had her most recent win over 12-months-ago on the Cindy Monaghan, Dubbo-trained Friendly Sizzle at Quirindi.
Dubbo trainer Merv Rumble, who has always been a staunch supporter of Kath Bell-Pitomac, prepares Andale which was strapped at Narromine by Kath’s husband Daniel Pitomac, who retired as a jockey when seriously injured.
Andale, a lightly raced three-year-old gelding, drew the outside barrier in a big field contesting the 1300 metres Narromine USMC Country Boosted Maiden Plate.
Heavily supported from $3.10 to $2.70 favourite, Andale was quickly away under Kath Bell- Pitomac and crossed to the early lead.
Maintaining the tempo, Andale led throughout to score by over two lengths from the fast finishing Major Lightning (Siena Grima, $2.80) and Saint Philomena (Kody Nestor, $10).
Half brothers Brummagen and Bylong both bred from the mare Letyahairhangdown by Dr Bob and Mrs Jean Slacksmith and trained by Brett Thompson, had widely differing fortunes in the first and penultimate events respectively, at Narromine. In the race named in honour of very successful jockey and trainer Wayne Collison from Narromine, who is retiring, Brummagen (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $4.40 to $3.20) hit the front at the top of the straight in the 800 metres The Wayne Collison Well Earned Spell Maiden Plate and won by over a length from Miss Karis (Clayton Gallagher, $2.60 favourite) and the leader Parissident (Kody Nestor, $8.50).
Approaching the final 100 metres of the 1100 metres QUBE Agri Benchmark 58 Handicap, Bylong $5.50) racing in the centre of a packed field unfortunately came down with Clayton Gallagher having a heavy fall. The horse galloped off appearing uninjured while Clayton Gallagher was transported to hospital with suspected fractures. From near last, the Paul Clisby , Dubbo-trained Midnight Dream (Siena Grima, $12) steamed down the outside to beat Champers Girl (Zoe Hunt, $4.80 favourite) and Dupenny (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $5.50).
In addition to Paul Clisby and Merv Rumble other Dubbo trainers with winners were Clint Lundholm (My Boy Scout, Kody Nestor, $5), Brett Robb (West Head, Jordan Quince, $2.10 favourite) and Michael Mulholland (Kranich, Chad Lever, $3.40).
