Fastest ever run at Warragul
Cranbourne trained pacer Captain Bellasario recorded the fastest ever winning run at Warragul last Monday to win the $25,000 Eastern Challenge Pace.
Captain Bellasario covered the 2210 metre race distance in just a tick over two minutes and 37 seconds – which equates to a mile rate of 1:54.5. It sliced 1.7 seconds off the previous track record mark set in October last year.
A decade ago, such a time would have been unheard of around Warragul. However, with the redevelopment of the race circuit in 2014, with increased camber and improved surface material, race times have caught up with the modern era. Warragul punches well above its weight now with regards to fast race times, especially as it ranks as one of the smaller race circuits in Victoria.
Captain Bellasario gave trainers Jayne Davies and Noel Alexander their fourth win in the Eastern Challenge event, and the first for the stable since they sold their Clyde property last year and took up residence at the Cranbourne Harness Racing Training Centre.
Incredibly, Captain Bellasario was having his first race start since December 31, having raced against some of the best of his age as a threeyear-old. After the race, winning driver Jack Laugher said there was still improvement in the now four-year-old.
“He's always looked like he's capable of something like that,” Laugher said of Captain Bellasario.
“As he's got older, he's got better and better, and he's probably still got improvement left in him I'd say.”
“As long as he comes through his runs okay, he's likely to go all the way this one. He's definitely a very smart horse.”
The winner is raced by G. Jose and S. Munnerley-Jose.
Monday's raceday recognised the stalwarts of the former Warragul and District Light Harness Club, with many past members in attendance.
The Ken Miller Memorial Pace was run in honour of a past president of the Light Harness Club and attracted a full field, including several locals.
It was won by Peter Thompson-trained Duffy Hollow first up from New Zealand and driven by Peter's daughter Kate Gath.
The four-year-old led throughout as a shortpriced favourite.
Another Light Harness Club stalwart Chris Hunter landed a popular win when Sovereign Tiger took out the day's other feature, the Des Kelly Memorial Trotters Handicap.
Driven by Chris' son Glenn, Sovereign Tiger has built a nice record this year of four wins and four seconds from 12 starts.
Another popular win on Monday was that of Playa Blanca in the fourth race. The win continued a great run of success for young Warragul horseman Nathan Rothwell, who trains two horses with his twin brother Will at Logan Park.
The Rothwells have produced four wins and six minor placings from their last 15 starters. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed, with reinsman James Herbertson full of praise for the stable after steering Playa Blanca to victory.
“All the credit goes to the young fellows,” Herbertson said.
“They're young fellows with no family connection to the sport, but you would think they've been in it their whole lives. The horses are presented very well, and the way the boys present themselves at the meetings, its credit to them, and also to their parents.”
“They've done a really good job in the time they have been in the sport.”
Warragul Harness Racing Club officials were delighted with the attendance for Monday's meeting, which returned to the local calendar for the first time last year. However, it was locked behind gates due to COVID restrictions.
The best weather conditions locally in almost a week saw a very strong crowd pack the clubrooms, with children's activities, live music and an appearance by the Gippsland and Sporting Classic Car Club also drawing plenty of interest.
Organisers turned on a great day, and there was an exciting atmosphere on the course. This will give the club plenty of work for next year's long weekend event, with some talk of also conducting greyhound racing.
Attendances at Warragul meetings have been quite good since COVID restrictions eased, and the WHRC has significantly boosted its membership base to further increase public awareness of its activities.
There is now a gap in the calendar before the next trots meeting at Logan Park on Monday, September 12.