BENDIGO-based reinsman Jack Laugher took the honours at a big nine-race card of harness racing at Swan Hill on Monday, with three winners on the night, including a thrilling dead heat.
Laugher’s first win was aboard six-year-old gelding Rojenbye, which dead-heated alongside the Joe Costa-trained Bella Abby in the VHRC The Members Pace over 1750m.
Trained by Reece Moore at Red Cliffs, Rojenbye was eased from gate two and settled mid-field in the moving line as Friends flew away from gate four to lead with Bellasteel after being caught wide going forward.
Local hope Bella Abby found the going easier racing with cover, but with runs coming from all directions approaching the home turn, Friends shifted ground upon straightening.
Bellasteel took a slender lead momentarily and Bella Abby, now in the centre of the track, issuing a challenge.
Rojenbye came wide down the home straight, joining Bella Abby upon hitting the wire, with the judge unable to separate the pair.
The Noel Watson-owned Saint Win, after obtaining a split between runners late in the straight, dashed through a gap to finish third, almost making it a triple dead-heat, with Bellasteel a half neck away in fourth.
Laugher then claimed his second win of the night in the sixth race on the card, guiding home raging favourite Major Collect.
Trained at Strathfieldsaye by Julie Douglas, Major Collect settled near last at the start, but went forward with a rush three wide at the bell to park outside the leader for the last lap.
In the end, Major Collect was too strong in the straight, scoring ahead of A Rocknroll Jet, with Hez Harrywho holding down third in a mile rate of 1:57.4.
Laugher didn’t have to wait long to complete his treble, guiding former Kiwi gelding Dhaulagiri home in the 2240m seventh race, and giving the Douglas stable a double in the process.
After settling three back along the pegs, Dhaulagiri eased away from the markers at the bell to race uncovered for the last lap and run home best, defeating Mighty Flying Art in a mile rate of 1:58.2, with Diamond Eclipse safely held finishing third.
The opening race of the night was claimed by father-daughter combination John and Ellen Tormey, with eight-year-old gelding Glens Of Tekoa claiming victory.
Going back from gate six and settling at the rear, Glens Of Tekoa gained a lovely ride home following favourite Keayang Alex and finished full of running to prevail by a head in a mile rate of 1:58.7, with Major Comment running on late for third.
