Personal milestone in sight
COLOURFUL horseman Kevin Pizzuto is edging closer to a personal milestone.
One of Australia's most successful trainers in modern times, Pizzuto's victories include harness racing's 'Holy Grail' - the Inter Dominion.
Pizzuto captured the time-honoured Championship with Tiger Tara, which blitzed his rivals at Tabcorp Park Melton in 2018.
Triumphant in seven Group Ones, Pizzuto's haul includes the famed A G Hunter and Victoria Cups, Canadian Club Sprint and Newcastle Mile.
Pizzuto has also secured five Group Twos and 37 Group Threes.
As for his pending milestone, Pizzuto is working towards his 1000th win, with his tally sitting on 997 thanks to a double at Club Menangle on Tuesday.
"I wasn't aware I was getting close to 1000 wins...that's not bad," Pizzuto said. "Getting a couple of winners at Menangle got me a little closer, which was good."
Pizzuto opened his account on the card with talented pacer Ravishing Sloy, which proved too good as a short-priced favourite.
Driven by Joshua Gallagher, the son of Bettors Delight covered the mile in 1:51.7 as Boom and Pitch Perfect filled the placings.
"I was very happy with his previous run to win in Penrith and felt he would be too good again," Pizzuto said. "He proved last season he was up with the best of his age and I expect him to go on to better things."
Ooga Chaka then broke a drought from the winners' circle with part-owner Wes Komorowski holding the reins.
Working to the front from barrier nine, the son of Art Major scored by three metres from Surf Ace, with Power Up five metres away third.
Stopping the clock in 1:51.3, Ooga Chaka completed his first win since last October.
"I've only had him for a few starts and he hadn't had much luck," Pizzuto said. "His work has been solid and I felt he was ready to run a good race.
"After finding the front he was always going to be hard to run down."
Pizzuto will attempt to add to his tally when Choochoo Train competes in Penrith tomorrow night.
An eye-catching third at Menangle last week, Choochoo Train has drawn to figure prominently from barrier three.
