Im Bobby confirmed his status as the most improved trotter in the state after he completed a hat trick of metropolitan wins at Melton on Saturday night.
The Eddie Tappe prepared six-year-old saluted at Melton four weeks ago in the slick mile rate of 1:53.9. before scoring a comfortable win in a ‘hit and run’ visit to Menangle last week.
With Tasmyn Potter deputizing for James Herbertson, Im Bobby showed his customary early speed to wrest the early lead off Mufasa Metro inside the first 100 metres of the race before gaining a 31 second quarter ‘breather’.
Reeling off a 56.8 last 800 metres, Im Bobby was untroubled to defeat Mufasa Metro by five metres with Imperial Monarch six metres away third in a mile rate of 1:54.8.
Potter said she persevered at the start despite the slick beginning from Mufasa Metro.
“He mustered late which helped because Ewa (Justice) was kicking up on Mufasa Metro,” Potter said.
The 23-year-old Potter conceded Im Bobby has progressed since partnering him to a win at Bendigo in January.
“He has certainly stepped it up since then and he feels like a really nice horse, he sort of knocked off when there was nothing around him but Im sure he would keep going if another one came up to him,” she said.
Earlier in the night the lightly raced five-year-old Gotfeelingsyouknow launched a memorable night for the Chris Svanosio stable when he outclassed his rivals in the IRT Trot.
With Ross Payne in the sulky, Gotfeelingsyouknow speared off the gate to lead from his mid-front row draw, and despite trotting roughly in the home straight, had sufficient in hand to score by eight metres from Rapid Return.
Payne said the son of Majestic Son was still a work in progress.
“If we can just work out why he is trotting like that in the last quarter, I was really hanging on to him to keep him in his gait and something is just not right and I think it’s in behind,” Payne said.
“We’ve got to get it right because he can go all the way to the top,” he said.
Payne believes the winner has the potential to reach the heights of stable mate and newly crowned Inter Dominion champion Arcee Phoenix.
“He’s not too far behind him,” he said.
The 68-year-old Payne still has the passion for driving winners
“I’ve loved driving ever since I started and I said if I ever lose the hunger then that will be it and I will walk away, but I’m hungrier than ever- I love driving trotters and always have.”
