By Len Baker
Harness racing returned to Swan Hill last Thursday September 30 with two big features on an eight event program highlighting the meeting – the $25,000 Hygain Northern Region Championship Final and the $20,000 (Group 3) Propulsion @ Trump Bloodstock Swan Hill Trotters Cup.
New Zealand bred five year old A Rocknroll Dance-Bad Beach gelding Duke Of Dundee after going through the heats undefeated, had nothing more than a “stroll in the park” to capture the Northern Region Final over 2240 metres.
Trained at Strathfieldsaye by Julie Douglas for parents Eric & Heather Anderson, Duke Of Dundee driven once again by Ellen Tormey led throughout from gate two, giving his rivals the slip on the home turn to score by 7.1 metres in a mile rate of 1-58.2 from Vanquish Stride along the sprint lane from three back the markers.
Tay Tay was game in finishing third 1.2 metres back after racing exposed from gate three. Last Friday night’s Kilmore Trotters Cup winner A Penny Drops was outstanding in winning a terrific 2600 metre Swan Hill Trotters Cup.
Trained at Stawell by Ray Harvey and driven by Grant Campbell, A Penny Drops was unusually slow to begin from inside the 10 metre mark copping a check soon after to settle at the tail of the field with the exception of Jackson Square (10m) which galloped wildly shortly after the start and was tailed off.
In an entertaining race John Justice’s Hatchback (barrier four) crossed polemarker Night Whisperer to assume the front running role with Kyvalley Finn uncovered, Robbie Royale one/one, Majestic Courtney one/two, Benji Hall three back the markers, Kyvalley Chief one/three and Aldebaran Crescent one/four after being slowly away and caught three wide.
There were plenty of mid-race moves with Robbie Royale vacating the prime spot to race in the open before receiving cover from Aldebaran Crescent who then handed over to A Penny Spent relegating Robbie Royale to three back in the running line.
Applying plenty of pressure to Hatchback in the last lap, A Penny Spent gained the upper hand on turning with Aldebaran Crescent in pursuit and Robbie Royale chasing the pair, however A Penny Spent was much too strong for his rivals, reaching the wire eight metres clear of Aldebaran Crescent in a possible best ever performance, with Robbie Royale third 1.5 metres away. The mile rate 2-02.1.
The night belonged to Lexton freelance reinsman James Herbertson who landed the first three winners on the program.
Echuca part-owner/trainer Ros Rolf’s Falcon Seelster-Hayley Franco gelding Dallas Franco was the first to arrive taking the Poster Boy 3Y0 Maiden Pace over 1750 metres.
Settling three back in the moving line from inside the second line, Dallas Patrick was off and running approaching the bell to park outside the pacemaker Agent Callan (gate three).
Taking a slender lead on turning, Dallas Patrick just lasted by a half head from Regal Breeze (one/three – three wide last lap), with Havelock (four back the markers – three wide trail last lap) third 6.9 metres away.
The mile rate 1-59.4. Mildura trainer Reece Moore’s 5Y0 Somebeachsomewhere-Winter Rose gelding Neds Beach led throughout from the pole in the Alabar Pace (4th Heat) over 2240 metres.
Always in control, Neds Beach won easily by 18.3 metres in a mile rate of 1-59.4 from Apache Wind which trailed.
Joeys Hanover (outside leader – one/one) was third a half head back.
Very much in-form 7Y0 Blissful Hall-Jarcourt mare Courts Bliss chalked up her fifth victory this season by taking the 1750 metre Lather Up – 1-46.0 Pace.
Trapped three wide from gate five, Courts Bliss was sent forward shortly after the start to park outside the poleline leader Missblissfulbeach with Herbie dictating the terms to suit. Racing clear on turning, Courts Bliss trained by Steve Branson at Korong Vale and raced by him and partner Kyra J Cartwright, greeted the judge 3.7 metres in advance of Without Hesitation (four back the markers – one/one home turn) and Asharah (one/two – four wide home turn) who was a half head away third.
The mile rate 1-57.5. Charlton based father and son – Shane (trainer) & Ryan Sanderson were successful with Bettors Delight-Death And Taxes gelding Nero Stride who was a big winner of the What The Hill 2Y0 Pace over 1750 metres.
Moving outside the heavily backed Pappa Leo entering the straight which had raced uncovered before taking over on the final bend, Nero Stride ran home stylishly to register a 4.4 metre victory from Roll With Ron (three back the markers), with Pappa Leo holding down third a head away.
The mile rate 1-57.8. Julie Douglas was to add another winner to her tally when 3Y0 Grinfromeartoear-Lucys Penny gelding Marsden Heights with Jack Laugher in the sulky led throughout from the pole to snare the 2240 metre LLowalong Farms Pace in a rate of 2-00.8.
Allowed to dictate terms to a nicety, Marsden Heights coasted to the wire 4.2 metres clear of a death-seating Promise Me Heaven and Sports Wrack (one/one – three wide last lap) who was 6.4 metres back third.
Ryan Sanderson was to end the night with a driving double after leading throughout aboard Charlton trainer Joey Thompson’s American Ideal-Ultimate CC 5Y0 gelding Cee Cee In America in the Trump Bloodstock Pace over 2240 metres.
Given an easy time, Cee Cee In America (gate three) just lasted by a head from Where Ya Bin which (gate two) sprouted wings along the sprint lane on turning from three back the markers.
She Will Rock (gate five) was third 1.3 metres back after racing in the open. The mile rate 1-57.2.
Swan Hill race again Monday October 18.
