A SAD weekend for the harness industry was acknowledged at Sunday nights Swan Hill Trotting Club meeting, with the club pausing for a minute’s silence to acknowledge the passing of the much-loved trainer/driver Greg Sugars over the weekend.
Swan Hill was the first Victorian race meeting to be held since the announcement of Sugars’ passing, with Saturday evening’s Melton meeting cancelled the night prior.
All drivers and participants wore black armbands in honour of the popular reinsman, with the 40-year-old passing away in his sleep in Sydney.
The feature race of the night was the fast class VHRC/Renown Silverware Pace over 1750m, which was taken out by honest 7YO gelding Tiger Band Wagon for trainer Ashleigh Herbertson.
Driven by Bendigo’s Jack Laugher, Tiger Band Wagon began fast from gate five to head off noted speedster Diamond Eclipse from gate three shortly after the start.
With a last half of 55.7 and fourth quarter 27.2, Tiger Band Wagon couldn’t be caught, defeating Diamond Eclipse, who raced along the sprint lane and the Charlton Cup victor Catalpa Rescue, who went forward three wide in the last lap in a mile rate of 1:54.8.
Strathfieldsaye trainer Julie Douglas bookended the meeting with success, claiming the first event on the card with Lou Will, before claiming win number two with Fulloffight in the final race of the night.
5YO gelding Lou Will saluted in a mile rate of 1:57.6 after beginning quickly with driver Ellen Tormey in the seat to lead from gate five, before handing over to Foxy Two Gloves.
Lou Will then enjoyed a cosy trip before running home best along the sprint lane to prevail by a meter ahead of Montana Pride, who also used the sprint lane, with Foxy Two Gloves two metres away in third.
Douglas then finished the night as she started it, with 4YO gelding Fullofflight break his maiden status in his 30th start in the 2240m VHRC/Mark Gurry & Associates Battlers In The Bush Maiden Pace.
Driven by Alex Ashwood, Fullofflight started outside the front line and went forward at the start, obtaining the front running from Dyganali without spending any petrol.
Ambling around at his leisure, Fullofflight coasted to the wire in advance of Tryagainfreddy for Gary Peters, which battled on gamely after racing exposed from gate six.
Rockstar Saint came from three back along the pegs to finish third via the sprint lane, with the race run in a mile rate of 2:00.8.
Nanneella trainer and part owner Col Godden didn’t go home empty handed after his ever-reliable 6YO gelding Epic Orion won the second race on the card, while trainer John Newberry teamed up with son Matt to help 8YO mare Amber Alert secure her ninth career victory in the VHRC/Benstud Pace over 1750m.
Trainer Paul Rousch won the fourth event of the night with Maoris Return, with Brent Murphy piloting the 5YO gelding first past the post, with Ouyen trainer Malcolm Retallick combining with Horsham reinsman Ryan Backhouse to land the fifth race of the night with Mason Dixon Line.
