Giles celebrates ‘home track’ win
Salt Creek-great Western based hobby trainer Phillip Giles enjoyed a ‘home track’ victory at Laidlaw Park, Stawell, on Anzac Day when Double Helix out-toughed the opposition in the $7000 trotters handicap.
Double Helix stepped away safely when the tapes were released and driver Jackie Barker let the five-year-old gelding find his rhythm through the first lap-and-a-half of the 2160-metre contest.
At the bell Double Helix sat third, out in clean air and a couple of lengths from the leader Thegirlsgotflair, Jeremy Quinlan, and the trailing horse Jaden Gill, Ashley Ainsworth.
Barker sat quietly as she gave her charge more rein down the back stretch to make steady ground and with 250 metres to go Double Helix was level pegging with the frontrunner.
At the top of the home straight Double Helix had assumed the lead and headed to the post with Jaden Gill and Show Me The Moolah, David Murphy, in pursuit.
However, the chase was in vain as Double Helix never missed a beat and was untroubled to score by a length in a rate of 2:06.9 – career victory number six from 41 starts.
Team Giles only recently purchased Double Helix from clients of the Kate Hargreaves stable and were quickly rewarded for their faith with a confidence-boosting win, first-up in a restricted stakes contest at Melton on April 20.
On to Anzac Day just five days later and it was two from two for the Giles’ green and gold silks. Tonight at Ballarat? Who knows?
Pacing for Pink
Ararat Harness Racing Club is getting right behind the Pacing for Pink campaign, dedicating its next meeting on Sunday, May 22, to the cause.
Pacing for Pink aims to raise much-needed money for the Mcgrath Foundation and to continue the fight against breast cancer.
During May harness fans will see drivers wearing sponsored pink pants and a number of clubs throughout the state also doing their bit for the Mcgrath Foundation.
The Ararat meet will see plenty of pink with raffles, spinning wheel, cake stall, memorabilia stall and silent auctions. Follow all their plans on the Ararat HRC Facebook page.
Farewell
Respected horseman Fabian Bigmore passed away recently, following a long but dignified battle against cancer.
The highlight of his driving career came in 1995 when he drove Southern Salute to win the Kilmore Pacing Cup, a horse trained by his legendary, late grandfather Frank Evans.
Fabian won 20 races with Southern Salute in the Evans’ black and white silks also including the 1995 Horsham Pacing Cup, 1995 Ouyen Pacing Cup and 1997 Stawell Pacing Cup.
We extend sincere condolences to his wife Paula, sons Harry and Rory, parents Pat (dec) and Gayle, as well as the extended Boyd, Evans and Bigmore families
• It’s Hot To Trot at Horsham on Monday; Hamilton on Monday, May 16 and Ararat on Sunday, May 22.