THEY say that winners are grinners so in that case there were smiles all round last week in the harness racing world!
Pirates Pearl had her own cheer squad in taking out the Lest We Forget-Anzac 2018 Pace last Friday night at Tamworth. Trained and driven by Sam Ison, owners Di and Rod Hazell were trackside to congratulate both Sam and Pirates Pearl with the seven-year-old mare having her first win in two years with the last being at Tamworth back in April 2016. Pirates Pearl has had 86 starts for six wins and 11 placings.
IT was nearly a cause for celebration for Tamworth trainer Ernie Mabbott at the Newcastle Saturday meeting when his two-year-old Tralee Rocks was just edged out of a win in the Somerset Meats Harness Breeders NSW Bonus Scheme Pace, with race favourite Chezmac driven by Colin McDowell having a short-half-head win. The 1609 metre race was covered in 1.58.7.
THE Monday Newcastle meeting then saw the smiles reappear with young reinsman Tom Ison taking an outside drive for Anna Bay trainer Denis Maricic behind Sur Le Feu for a win in the TAB App Pace by a head with a mile rate of 1.57.5 for 1609 metres.
Narrabri trainer Jarred Hetherington was trackside at Newcastle to see Limousine Livia present to the winner’s circle in the TAB.com.au Pace with the mare gaining her third win on the trot. Limousine Livia covered the 2030 metres with a mile rate of 1.58.5.
Tonight at Tamworth, the Artistic Fella mare will be looking for another good finish in the Club Menangle Where Horses Fly Heat at Tamworth Pace, and if successful will be heading to Menangle for the final.
A FEATURE on tonight’s nine-event program at Tamworth will be the fourth Heat of the Club Dubbo Garrard’s Golden Gig with the winner heading to Dubbo for the Final on May 11. The winning trainer will receive a “Golden Gig” as their trophy and the driver a $250 Pot of Gold. After Tamworth another two heats will be contested at Young and Forbes.
THE Old Boy’s Reunion last week at Tamworth went off well and it was good to see Free The Magic have a win in the Garrard’s Horse & Hound Pace for Old Boy trainer Norm Soles. Free The Magic was having only her second career start and will shape up tonight from barrier 11 in the Dubbo Gig Heat with Laura Spencer to take the drive.
