Coleambally reinswoman Ellen Bartley scored a quick double at Wagga on Friday.
After guiding Narryna Jetstar to victory Bartley completed a race-to-race double with Lombo Hallmark.
Both horses led all the way.
Bartley, who also trains Narryna Jetstar, was surprised by how easily the mare was able to find the front and was then able to dictate terms.
The six-year-old held on to defeat Shadesoff by 1.2 metres in the Bedrock Landscape Supplies Pace (1755m).
The win was the daughter of Jeremes Jet’s second in four starts since joining Bartley’s team in February.
After finishing ninth last time, after being checked and galloping, Bartley thought being able to race to the early lead helped turn around her form.
“She got checked last start then didn’t really perform that well but I think she lost a bit of confidence after she galloped," Bartley said.
“She has probably never galloped before and went really well.”
Bartley was also thrilled to win for owner Gary Merkel.
“The people that own her are lovely people, I’ve known them since I was a little kid, so I get a bit of a kick every time she wins,” Bartley said.
She then piloted Lombo Hallmark to victory for Leeton trainer Gary Punch.
Utilising Barltey’s concession claim, Lombo Hallmark dictated terms in the slowly run affair.
After running a first half in 64.9 seconds, he found enough late to win.
“The horse went really good,” Bartley said.
“I thought he was gone down the back then I pulled the ear plugs and he found something.
“Around the corner he was cruising and turning for home I asked him to go and he kept on plugging away to get the job done.”
It was the nine-year-old’s first win since December but Bartley was impressed with his efforts after finishing third the start prior.
“He went really good but I just couldn’t get out and he went to the line pretty much under a strangehold,” she said.
Harness racing action will continues on Sunday when Cootamundra hosts its first meeting on the year in the lead up to its Carnival Of Cups meeting on May 17.
