Phil Lenehan wasn’t talking up Don’t Forget Kev’s chances in last Sunday’s Summer Classic final (512 metres). Probably fair enough given the white and black dog had grabbed a spot in the final after running second in a heat, beaten eight lengths by Under Study in a personal time of 30.43 seconds.

But, it has to be said, Lenehan’s Sunday had started out pretty well after Lektra Blaze and Mister Mac strung together an early maiden running double for the Toolong trainer who is certainly no stranger to feature race success.

Having his first start, Lektra Blaze led virtually all the way from box four in the Trackside Meats Stake (305 m) when running out a five lengths winner over Bungaloo Sarah in 18.10 seconds.

By Mepunga Blazer, the winner is out of Lektra Fire, a Sandown Park and The Meadows winner who wrapped up her racing career at Tara Raceway back in early 2018.

And Mister Mac, a son of Keybow and 15-race winner Lektra Hutch, at start number four led all the way to defeat Zoie Magic by 2¼ lengths in 23.54 seconds in the South Eastern Hotel Stake (400 m).

Don’t Forget Kev, a litter brother to Mister Mac, had previously won at Tara Raceway back in January for the Craft Syndicate which comprises the trainer’s cousins Barney and Stephen Lenehan and Peter Brown, publican of the Mamre Hotel at Pirron Yallock.

With one owner back in the game after 20 years and the other two first-time participants, Don’t Forget Kev did his owners proud in the Summer Classic final when jumping from box three as the $51 rank outsider.

Odds-on favourite Justice For All went straight to the front and never looked in any danger of defeat. Left to do the chasing were his brother Crush Your Enemy and Don’t Forget Kev, the latter ultimately clinching second spot when running a personal best 30.04 seconds.

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