Ideal birthday celebrations

PROMINENT trainer Anton Golino experienced the ideal birthday yesterday.

Along with enjoying the milestone for the first time as a father, Golino topped the celebrations with a winner at Tabcorp Park Melton last night.

Golino joined the parenthood ranks last January with the arrival of his daughter Sophie.

As for the racing side of the highlights, Golino was triumphant with exciting trotter Always Ready.

“It was a great day spent with the family,” Golino said. “Getting a winner on any day always makes for a good day, but getting one on your birthday adds a little something to it.

“It was a day to remember and I look forward to some more just like it.”

Driven by Ryan Duffy, Always Ready was settled in the perfect one-one trail from his second his row draw as Carnera led and Hatchback worked on his outside.

With Hatchback eased forward to find the front, Always Ready was left facing the breeze during the middle stages.

Bullocking his way to the lead around the final bend, the entire completed an 11-and-a-half metre win from Hatchback which has been runner-up at his last six starts.

Mah Mukker was a half-head away third in 1:59.4.

Unbeaten from five starts since recovering from a broken a hind pedal bone, which had him sidelined for 19 months, Always Ready stretched his record to nine wins and four placings from 13 starts.

“He is a special trotter,” Golino said. “He has a complete arsenal…speed, stamina, great gait.

“He’s also by Ready Cash which increases his value as a stallion and we may even stand him at stud during the next breeding season.

“I’ll send him for a spell now as he is getting up in ranking and I don’t want him getting on too tight a mark just yet.”