Dominant frontrunning display from Zac Loves To Fly in regional championship heat as Galati rides treble

Zac Loves To Fly produced a slashing display to win the $24,000 Racing WA Provincial Championship Series Heat (1300m) at Mt Barker Turf Club on Sunday. The championship heat was run at the same meeting as the Mt Barker Cup but Zac Loves To Fly delivered a sizzling all-the-way win for Stratham trainer Chris Stelmach and jockey Austin Galati. Zac Loves To Fly jumped a $9 chance in the field of 10 and was sent straight to the front, dictating the tempo before Galati kicked him clear at the top of the home straight. The seven-year-old gelding sprinted hard in the final 200m to win by more than two lengths over $2.25 favourite Flying South, while Song Cycle ($8) ran strongly to grab third place. It was a second win this campaign for Zac Loves To Fly, who will now be set for the final over 1400m at Belmont on May 17. Galati claimed a winning treble on the eight-race card, also booting home Gingerquest and Sirota. Gingerquest stormed home down the outside to pip Cocoon Girl and win the Mt Barker Fire & Rescue Maiden (1300m) for trainer Roy Rogers. It was just the third career start for the Gingerbread Man three-year-old, who was well supported into a $2.90 favourite. Sirota also finished well for Galati in the first leg of a double for Mt Barker Cup-winning trainer Ray Malpass. Albany trainer Jonathon Jachmann tasted success with Via Monte, who won the Elders Handicap (1200m). Via Monte was ridden by Lisa Staples and beat stablemate Storm Commander by half a length on the line. Magali Magic broke her maiden status at her fourth career start, scoring impressively for trainer Tom Wolfe in the opening race. Trainer Joshua Krispyn saddled up Scorpion Ruler to a dominant three-length win in race five over 1000m. Scorpion Ruler ($3.50) led from start to finish for hoop Holly Watson to notch a fourth win in 10 career starts. The team of Aaron and Kate Pateman combined to win the last race as Oscar Charlie edged out My Lovely Pet by a short head on the line. Apprentice jockey Ava Catarino was suspended for nine days for careless riding aboard Duke Of Wellington in race eight, shifting inwards on her mount when insufficiently clear of Song Story near the 700m. Kate Pateman was fined $150 for a whip breach on Crystal Vain in race four, and trainer Dion Luciani was fined $50 for the use of the club’s colours in race one.