PETER Bullock made the long trip from Bathurst to Tamworth Paceway with just the one runner worthwhile when he drove home with a flashing win last Thursday.
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The former Tamworth trainer, based at Bathurst for more than half a decade, brought up Swaggie Shannon and the four year-old gelding, after encountering early trouble, sat back relaxed and then stormed home late for a 3.25-metre win.
The son of Kenneth J registered a third career win for Bullock, his last win coming at Young in June.
Bullock did nominate three for the meeting but he was the only one of the trio to gain a run.
"He was the best of the three," Bullock told The Leader after Thursday’s victory.
"He's a good horse, even though his form doesn't suggest it.
"He has a real quick sprint."
That suits him at Tamworth Paceway, with its short straight and is exactly what driver Murray Sullivan found.
"I love driving for Pete," Sullivan said.
(Swaggie Shannon) was the best of the three. He's a good horse, even though his form doesn't suggest it. He has a real quick sprint.
- Peter Bullock
"He has them in good condition and you know they will keep going. They'll be spot on."
Sullivan waited until straightening for home before asking the gelding for his finishing effort and he didn't disappoint.
"He has a great 300-metre sprint and got over the top of them," Sullivan said.
Bullock said he would "keep poking around" with Swaggie Shannon.
Earlier, Opening Move made the right moves to snare a deserving win for his Uralla trainer-driver Mitch Faulkner.
The Mitch Faulkner-trained-and-driven eight-year-old gelding led all the way to win the Thread Effects Competitive Stakes (1609m) by an easy six metres from Who Killed Kenny (Danny Mackney).
It was Opening Move's third career win .
"He's a nice horse," Faulkner told on-course interviewer Mark Lowe after the win.
"He was three wide the last 800 metres at Redcliffe (2nd) last start.
"I thought he'd be hard to beat here after drawing the inside."
Meanwhile, you will not be seeing Bathurst reinsman Mitch Turnbull's name in a New South Wales formguide for a while.
The 19-year-old has decided to spend a stint working in Western Australia.
Turnbull had two drives at Tabcorp Park Menangle last Saturday night and the next day was on a flight over to Perth.
"When I was on the Rising Stars tour, Stewie McDonald from WA said I should give it a go so I thought I may as well," Turnbull said.
"I'll be working with Ross Olivieri for at least a month or so."
The Tamworth Harness Racing Club stage another Thursday afternoon TAB meeting next Thursday.
Nominations for that meeting must be received 9.30am today.