I See Fire and Colin Reeves at Wagin. Photo Credit- Photography by Jodie Hallows.
Colin Reeves went almost eight years between drinks when he drove his first winner in over seven years back in May 2022, and on Friday, June 7 he broke a two-year hiatus from the winner’s circle, coincidentally on the same horse, I See Fire.
Reeves launched from barrier six in the fifth on the card at Wagin, lobbing the breeze throughout, and at $21 odds went on to win by 1.6m over Majic Bay in a winning mile rate of 1:59:7 over the 1776m trip.
From his first win on the gelding on May 27, 2022, Reeves took a liking to him, and two starts later I See Fire joined his stable, now going on to win a further five races.
At 72-years of age, Reeves has experienced his fair share of success over his time in the harness racing industry, including multiple training and driving premierships in the Great Southern, as well as 13 heats of the Country Derby over the years.
Reeves claimed the 1993/1994 Leading Driver and Leading Trainer in Albany, an amazing achievement given the fact he only had two horses racing, Chevy Lobell who won five races that season and Another Bay who won three.
Three-year-old Manea took out the opener at Wagin for Craig Hynam and Aaron Suvaljko, with the daughter of local stallion Fly Like An Eagle winning by a neck at long odds.
Jeremy Thornton’s stable is performing well and race two was taken out by Swanbourne Spunk, driven by Corey Peterson.
Another winner at odds, Swanbourne Spunk started at $11 and after settling back in the field over the 1776m trip, came from behind to win by 1.4m in 2:00:1.
Favourite punters were rejoicing in race three, with the $2.20 favourite Forsure NZ getting the win for Graeme Collins and Cody Wallrodt.
Racing sporadically over the past three years, Forsure NZ has raced just the seven times since his last win back in December 2021 and has had just the 12 starts since making the move to WA from New Zealand.
Mother and son, Sarah and Joey Suvaljko took top prize in race four on the card when The Thirsty Vet came home the better in the run to the line, with the $11 shot bringing up his second career win in 33 starts.
Double Westbred two-year-old Noble Thorondor brought up his second win in just six starts for trainer Bruce Lovett, giving Corey Peterson his second winner of three on the night.
The $1.24 favourite gave Fly Like An Eagle a siring double on the night, with a comfortable winning margin of 8.6m in 2:07:6 over the 2180m trip.
Matt Scott and Corey Peterson ended the night on a high, with four-year-old maiden Wut Now breaking through for his first win.
Starting at $8.50 odds, the gelding by Foreclosure was having just his third start in a race after qualifying to race in April this year.
Ashleigh Paikos