THE Ross Graham-trained Animated has backed up his thrilling win at Tabcorp Park Melton last week with another metropolitan success on Saturday night.
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Brilliantly driven by Heathcote-based reinswoman Tayla French, the eight-year-old's second victory in six days at harness racing headquarters was a near carbon copy of the first.
The gelding unleashed another blistering run to edge past the A.J. and Beau Tindale-trained Idealsomemagic on the line, with the Alex Ashwood-driven Van Mara two metres back in third.
Adding to the excitement, Animated's win in the Jack Collins Memorial Pace provided French with her first metropolitan winner.
Graham, who trains at Sutton Grange, was full of praise for the talented young concession driver.
"Like most horses, if the race isn't run genuine, it's very hard to come from behind," he said.
"It was a very good drive by Tayla. She got a good trail into it around the corner and then moved him to the outside and he left it to the last inch to get there.
"Tayla has had a few drives for me, but that was only the second time she has driven him.
"He went pretty well the last time she drove him, when he finished seventh. He went super."
A 21st career win for Animated (from 96 starts) boosted the gelding's prize earnings to a healthy $190,165.
Three of those wins have come in his last seven starts, starting at Elmore on Boxing Day.
His two recent wins were preceded by a fifth placing in the Group 3 Echuca Pacing Cup, won by the Brent Lilley-trained Sicario.
Graham expressed his belief that the son of US sire Tell All and Baroda Bess was up there among the best pacers he had trained.
"He's closing in on a couple of hundred thousand in earnings. I have had a few other nice pacers along the way, but none that have got up to that sort of prize money," said Graham, who has trained 16 winners this season and five this month.
"I have had a bit more success with the trotters, but as far as pacers go, he's up there.
"He still enjoys his racing, so I think he still has a bit more left in his career."
Saturday night's win was Animated's seventh at Melton. He has also finished second on eight occasions and third three times at headquarters.
With an all-trotting meeting scheduled for Melton this Saturday night, Graham expects Animated to return to Melton on March 7.
A busy Wednesday night for the trainer will include five runners at Ballarat with Self Exclusion, Reigning Lillies, Azza, Sun of Sonoko and Missus Matilda.
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