Vinnie Todd
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BENDEMEER trainer/driver Rob Clement expects to hit Tamworth Paceway running today as he returns from an eight-month “holiday” with stablemates Soho Eros and New Year’s Day.
Both pacers will be resuming from a spell – Soho Eros in the Family Hotel 1980MS Pace and New Year’s Day in the Millenium Signs Pty Ltd Pace over the same
distance.
Clement landed a four-month disqualification early in the season, then had to wait a similar time span for approval to get his licence back again.
“I’ve had a fair while off, but made good use of it helping Jane (thoroughbred trainer Jane Clement) around the stables and carting the kids (Dana and Braith) around to all the rodeos,” he said.
“Braith is leading his 11 year barrel title and Dana is running second in the 11-14 year barrel.”
But back on track and ready to hit the paceway again, Clement is confident his duo – both part-owned by his dad Andy Clement – can mix it with the best of them at Tamworth today.
“Dean Chapple (Moonbi trainer/driver) had Soho Eros for a couple of starts when I was out and won one with him too. Actually the day I got back after disqualification was the day he won at Tamworth (1980MS C0-C1) back in June,” Clement said.
“He won it tough that day. They hammered him the whole race and he stuck on to win.
“If they want to make it a staying test again, he’s in with a big chance.”
New Year’s Day can boast a win over 2120MS in R2-R5 company at Dubbo back in December – also driven on that occasion by Dean Chapple.
“He hasn’t had a start since January either, but he was absolutely flying at the time,” Clement said.
“From memory, he won two from five at one stage.
“If he crosses over to the lead, he’ll take some catching.”