Patience rewarded with drought-breaking win

CO-TRAINERS Mary and Joe Rando were rewarded for their patience at Club Menangle yesterday.

Producing the kind of performance the couple know he is capable of, Do Ball broke a long drought from the winners’ circle.

Causing a minor upset as the second elect, Do Ball registered his first victory since last June when prepared in Victoria by David Van Ryn.

The trotter joined the Rando stable the following month.

“At home he can work with our Saturday night horses, so the ability is there,” Joe said. “It’s just a matter of him being able to put it together at the races.

“We’ve taken our time with him, only given him a dozen starts in 12 months, and he’s been consistent without winning.

“He ran second at his previous start and I knew he was ready to win if he took that into yesterday’s race which he did.”

Driven by David Morris, Do Ball was settled midfield from barrier five as Eratigena led from gate three.

Coming with a well-timed run during the latter stages, the son of Angus Hall completed a half-neck win from Agent Maori, with Critical Advantage two-and-a-half metres away third.

Owned by Mary, Do Ball rated 2:01 for the 2300-metre trip.

“It was great to see him get the win on the board,” Joe said. “Hopefully he has turned the corner a little based on his last couple of runs and is ready to start bringing his best each time he heads to the races.

“We will continue to be patient with him and work his way through the Tuesday grades for now.”