AFTER 10 months and near 15,000kms later, Bendemeer horseman Len Clement completed the dream of driving at every trotting track across New South Wales at Tabcorp Park Menangle this week.
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And while Tuesday's Wards Accounting Group Pace (1609m) may not seem significant to some, it will be for Clement.
At the beginning of the season the retired Clement set himself a bucket list - Len's Bucket List - to drive in a race at all the tracks he had not previously.
Having been involved in the sport for more than three decades, the 59-year-old had only driven at 11 tracks before embarking on this trip last September. And now this well documented journey is at the end.
"This is the finale!" Clement said earlier this week before the Ward's Accounting Group Pace.
"We finally have a run at Menangle and even though we haven't drawn too well I'm just happy to be going around.
"We finally have a run at Menangle and even though we haven't drawn too well I'm just happy to be going around.
- Len Clement
“I've been to Menangle a few times as a spectator but have never driven there.
"I'm not sure if I'll like the track or not as there aren't enough corners for me ... I'm used to driving on a much smaller track."
For the record Atara Blue Chip finished 44m from winner and odds-on favourite He Can Fly. He started $138.90 as well.
From Eugowra, to Albury and even out to Broken Hill, Clement ticked off the 1400m circuit at Menangle behind his pacer Atara Blue Chip, which he acquired along this expedition.
However, it wasn't the easiest test the lightly raced seven-year-old gelding has faced, especially considering his last and only win came more than three years ago.
Ironically, Clement's last win in the sulky was also in 2013, behind Lifeslittlesecret at Tamworth in February 6. And this same mare is the horse Clement began Len's Bucket List with at Dubbo on September 13, 2015.
After sticking with Clement through the Western Districts, the Riverina, Canberra, Sydney and back to the Riverina, Lifeslittlesecret was forced to the sideline with a potentially career-ending respiratory problem.
Clement, still determined to fulfil his dream, reached out to his fellow horsemen and women and was offered many horses to complete his quest.
"I always say it but the people and friends we have met and made along the way has been great," Clement said.
"It is something my wife Christine and I will never forget.
“We have made life-long friends on this trip and it has certainly exceeded our expectations."
Meanwhile, Tamworth Harness Racing Club races again next Thursday when it stages an afternoon TAB meeting.
It will be the final Thursday meeting in the foreseeable future with the THRC now racing a mixture of Sunday (day and twilight), Wednesday (night) and Saturday (night) TAB meetings.
