Photo: Chanelle Lawson
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk
Brent Mangos celebrated the Auckland-Waikato border opening with a winning double at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday.
The Pukekohe horseman opened his account courtesy of juvenile filly Ilovelucy, who broke through for her maiden win in the Ike Unsworth Bayleys Pace (2200m).
It was the third start for the daughter of Sweet Lou, having placed on debut at Cambridge last month before finishing eighth at Alexandra Park.
“She went a really good race,” said Mangos, who also drive the filly.
“She was a bit unlucky at Auckland the other night, she had a couple of checks.
“She trialled well on Saturday and she went like she trialled. It was a good run, 2:41 for a maiden two-year-old filly.”
Mangos was pleased with the win and believes there is plenty more instore for the filly.
“There is a bit of upside to her,” he said.
“She is a nice, laidback filly with a bit of speed. She should develop into a handy filly next season.”
In the following race Elegant Peak secured the stable double when winning the Betavet Trot (2200m).
“She had the one run at Auckland a fortnight ago and she over-raced,” Mangos said.
“She is nowhere near as good Auckland way around. Back to left-handed and she got a nice run and did everything right.
“There are another couple of wins in her for sure Cambridge way around.”
Later in the night, Mangos reined home the Roger Villiger-trained Majestic Trio to win the Dunstan Horse Feeds Trot, to bag a driving treble.
While Mangos was happy to head to Cambridge on Thursday, he is more excited about returning in the weekend to celebrate his Grandson’s birthday.
“I am going back to Cambridge on Saturday, my daughter’s little boy is turning one,” he said.
“I am really looking forward to it.”
