Harness racing returns
Regional harness racing returned to Stawell last week and as usual the female brigade was well to the fore.
Armstrong trainer Brooke Hansen’s five-year-old mare Wanted Lady notched up her third victory for the season with Grant Campbell in the sulky.
The noted quick beginner was untroubled to hold the lead from the favourable pole position and Campbell dictated a moderate tempo through the first half of the 1785-metre trip, holding plenty in reserve for the final lap.
This made all the difference at the business end of the race, with Wanted Lady lasting to hold off serious challenges from Old Farm Way – Kerryn Manning – and Corporal Bill – James Herbertson – up the home straight.
Hamilton reinswoman Jackie Barker landed a winning double on the nineevent Stawell program.
Her first success came with Creative Lad in for her grandfather-trainer, ‘Gentleman Jim’ Barker and owner Clarie Hamilton.
The six-year-old gelding out-toughed the opposition after racing outside the leader for the entire journey and poked his nose in front right on the line, to bring up career victory number six.
Later in the day, Jackie again saluted the judge with Portland owner-trainer Donna Bourke’s lightly raced, fiveyear-old mare Rhythm And Grace in the Egmont Park Pace. Drawn the outside of the second row, Rhythm And Grace settled at the rear of the field for the 2180-metre journey then enjoyed a forward three-wide trail from the bell on the back of Keayang Shady – Aaron Dunn.
Barker eased her charge four wide at the top of the home straight and the combo was a clear winner at the post, scoring by 2.4 metres in a rate of 2:00.9.
Rhythm And Grace took her record to four wins, two placings and $18,340 from just 17 starts and there should be more success in store for her connections.
Manning double
Great Western horsewoman Kerryn Manning brought up a training-driving double at Stawell courtesy of The Sportz Star in a $7000 Trackside threeyear-old pace and later in the day with stablemate, The Bull Pen in a $7000 pace.
Drawn the inside of the second line, Manning eased The Sportz Star back from the gate to secure a spot three back in the running line with Crompton Bay – Ryan Duffy – leading them out from gate two over the 2180-metre journey.
Duffy then slowed the field to an almost pedestrian tempo during the middle stages of the race and looked to have pinched the race when he booted Crompton Bay 12 metres clear turning for home.
The Sportz Star was closing fast out four wide but looked to be headed for second prize when the leader went roughly and galloped with 75 metres to go.
In the flash of an eye, Manning’s charge claimed the lead and scored, running away by five metres from Tedkane – Jackie Barker – and Crompton Bay.
The Bull Pen showed plenty of toe to cross to the lead from out in gate five and the seven-year-old gelding stayed on the steel and kept them running throughout the 2180-metre journey.
Straightening up for home, The Bull Pen held a 12-metre margin from the rest of the field and although Rocking Tess – James Herbertson – made plenty of ground, the former New Zealander scored by 3.2 metres in a rate of 1:58.2.
The son of Tintin In America NZ is raced by the Butterworth syndicate and has won three races from seven outings since joining the Kerryn Manning camp.
COVID-19 restrictions continue to see change as the new norm for Victorian harness racing, with the planned return of all tracks to action again placed on hold until mid-august.
Racing will stay at the nine designated COVID-19 tracks and participants will not be allowed to race at meetings outside their allocated areas of: Country – Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Stawell and Terang; Metro – Cranbourne, Kilmore, Melton – or far northwest – Mildura.