Personal milestone for talented young reinsman

TALENTED young reinsman Blake Pace registered a personal milestone in Ballarat last night.

Despite being afforded limited opportunities, Pace has built a solid strike rate which has seen him finish among the top three placegetters in 31 per cent of his drives.

As for his moment in the spotlight, Pace registered his first double, which also completed a hat-trick of wins having scored in Geelong during his previous drive.

"I'm rapt...over the moon," Pace said. "To get a double is a big thrill and certainly made it easier to bounce out of bed at 4am this morning, which I don't normally do!

"I'm studying for my Bachelor in Agriculture and work part time at Airport, but getting ready for work was a lot easier this time."

Pace opened his account with a win behind the Steven Zammit-trained Speedy Healey, which is racing in terrific form.

Rating 1:59 over 2200 metres, Speedy Healey scored by four-and-a-half metres from Royal Saxon, with Im The Wild One a metre-and-a-half away third.

"Steven has him going great guns," Pace said. "He's won his last three now and just feels terrific."

Pace then combined with the Bernard Alder-prepared Skyz Above to upset the odds-on favourite, Four Lonely Nights, by three-and-a-half metres.

Ona Merry Dance was a metre-and-a-half away third in 2:04.8 over 2200 metres.

"I was quietly confident with her before the race, but then at the 400 I gave her a flick on the tail and she revved up nicely, so I thought we could be a chance here," Pace said.

"She really found over the last stage and did it comfortably in the end."