Bumper card at Stawell
All is in readiness for a bumper, 10-race card of harness action at Laidlaw Park, Stawell, tomorrow.
“We have put together another great day of free fun for all ages at what has become a traditional date on our calendar,” Stawell Harness Racing Club manager Mark Percival said.
“For the kids, there are rides on Aston the train, a face painter, show bags and to keep them refreshed, we have the slushie bike and icy poles.
“The grown-ups have a chance to take home $500 cash in our lucky race-day draw after race four, just by registering their details with our QR code. Later in the afternoon, Chris Meek will be playing some great music through to the early evening in our new alfresco area.
“A scrumptious race-day roast will be available in the bistro and Stawell Lions Club will be manning the Aussie barbecue.”
Bookings for the Trackside bistro and alfresco area can be made by phoning 5358 1237.
“They are sure to go quickly, so don’t dally,” Percival said. “Remember, it’s free entry for everyone, so come along and enjoy.”
For people who cannot make it to Laidlaw Park, all races are streamed live and free on devices and smart TV via Trots Vision.
People can also access fields, a form guide, gear changes and race analysis with tips via www.hrv.org.au
Bondi comeback
Adam Hamilton reports for Harness Racing Victoria on the progress of Horsham star pacer Bondi Lockdown, after the stallion’s comeback appearance at the Menangle trials last week:
Owner and former trainer-driver Aaron Dunn surprised many when he sent Bondi Lockdown to Team Mccarthy after the pacer had a minor bleed late last year and was stood down from racing for six months.
“It made sense to me. I think it’s best for the horse and Luke seems to really like him,” Dunn said.
Mccarthy said: “Yes I do, we haven’t turned the screws down on him yet, but he’s exciting alright. We all know how good he is at his top. That Chariots Of Fire run of his was
seriously off the charts. You don’t see many who could do that.”
Mccarthy took the reins when Bondi Lockdown won his first trial for the stable at Menangle on Wednesday last week.
“Aaron said he’d been a handful at times at home for him, but he’s been relaxed and a real gentleman up here and that showed in the trial,” he said.
“He relaxed well then I gave him one smack when I came off the leader’s back and he did the rest himself, and very comfortably.
“It’s too early to be making any bold predictions, but we know the talent
he’s got. It’ll be great to get a race into him.”
That race will be in the next two to three weeks.
“We tossed-up taking him to the Hunter Cup, but it’s best to focus on the Miracle Mile and bring him along at our own speed up here,” Mccarthy said.
“After his first up run, he’ll go to the Newcastle Mile and try to book a Miracle Mile spot that way.”
Fugle finds form
A recent addition to the Kerryn Manning stable, Fugle scored a comfortable victory at Melton on Friday in the
$7000 2Construct Trotters Handicap. After a safe beginning from the 10-metre mark, Manning found the one-one sweet spot for the first lap of the 2240-metre journey, then raced outside the leader Aldebaran Jaytee when that horse assumed control at the bell. Fugle went to the line full of running and scored comfortably in a rate of 2.04.0. Fugle is a six-year-old daughter of Majestic Son and A Bit Amiss and is raced by her breeders, well-known lovers of the trotting gait, the Shellie family.