Playwrights and script doctors typically live listless existences, endlessly agonising over nebulous narratives and uncompelling concepts.
It all seems such a waste when one night at Melton manifests every perfect portrait that a story arc could need.
Truth be told, they’re not required to sit through every race.
Saturday night, at Victorian harness headquarters, three terrific tales were woven all within an hour.
Each within the meeting’s first three contests.
First, there was the fairy tale of Tarah McNamara.
Like most that find their way to overseeing standardbreds, Tarah was born into the game.
As the daughter of Danny Bouchea’s long-time conditioner, Nick Youngson, Tarah’s fate was sealed from the time that she could walk.
Still, it’s a tough old game to inherit.
Success at any tier or grade is far from guaranteed.
Not for McNamara it seems.
Not only did she claim her first training triumph with a horse so dear to her heart that she featured in wedding photos with her now-husband Jack, but she also nailed debut glory on the biggest stage.
And it was utterly painless.
Perfectly driven by star young reinsman Jimmy Herbertson, Delightful Mia led on her ear, kicked before straightening and gifted McNamara a night she’ll not forget.
One race later, Kasey Kent stepped clear of her famous partner David Moran’s shadow when Curly James led throughout.
Then one race after that creative writer’s got their gold.
Most sport’s have an oracle; a star that shines above.
In harness racing, that man is Gavin Lang.
Sadly, the man simply known as Group 1 Gav was taken before his time; thankfully, his presence still extends to race-night action.
Before he left us, Lang trained a talented, if slightly immature trotting mare known as Classy Spirit.
Tragically, when the evil illness which whisked him from this mortal coil began its insidious charge, Lang was left to give advice on where his horses headed.
And he chose, or more aptly anointed, Lisa Miles with responsibility for Classy Spirit.
In myriad ways she hasn’t let him down; particularly with this wonderful mare he so loved winning once again at Melton.
After her success, Miles was typically stoic.
But watch her post-race comments and you’ll see just what it meant.
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Don’t let them fool you, Im Ready Jet is utterly, undeniably world class in every respect.
Right now, and pretty much always if we’re being honest, those across the Tasman have controlled our trotting world.
Even as we speak, Kiwis will invariably tell you that Sundees Son is twice as good as any Aussie trotter; and there is every chance that there’s truth within that boast.
Still, Anton Golino’s statuesque squaregaiter, Im Ready Jet, who dominated Saturday night’s Sumthingaboutmaori Trotters Free For All, may not quite agree.
Thank God the borders opening may well see such greats clash.
The opinions expressed in The Forum are those of the author and may not be attributed to or represent policies of Harness Racing Victoria, which is the state authority and owner of thetrots.com.au.
