LIMBRI trainer Stacie Elliott was disappointed that last-start winner Noveau Shannon had to be scratched from tonight’s Tamworth Harness Racing Club meeting but is expecting a “good showing” from her remaining three starters.
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“Noveau developed a stone bruise this week and,while it’s not that bad, it’s probably better to scratch her rather than having her race under 100 per cent,” she said.
Elliott will now rely on Heartland Bid (1980m Hazells Farm & Fertilizer Services Pace), Shannons Earl (2360m JM Welding Pace) and Kovari (2360m Pryde’s Easifeed Pace) to bring in the cash for the small stable.
All three will be driven by Sawyer’s Gully trainer-driver Rod Pike.
“Rod does a great job driving them – always puts them in the right position to give them a good chance,” she said.
But while Elliott, daughter of well-known Cessnock trainer-driver, the late Allan Harmey, has been around pacers “all my life”, she’s only just received her trainer’s licence back after a four-year absence from the track.
“I gave it all away to have three kids,” she joked.
Tending to Kaitlyn (5), Felicity (4) and two-year-old Aimee kept her away from the sport she loves, but only for as long as was necessary, she confided.
“Once pacing’s in your blood, it’s hard to get out.
“I grew up with it, though having the girls made me put it on hold.
“It’s a sport that once you have a break from it the big urge to get back into it is always there.”
Elliott expects a “bold showing” from Heartland Bid, particularly on his last-start third of 10 in 2030m free-for-all company at Newcastle last weekend.
“Shannons Earl is just starting to come back to fitness so he must rate some chance,” she said.
Her third starter Kovari has only just joined the Limbri team.
“I only got him last week from Newcastle. But I’m expecting him to be thereabouts too,” she said.