Some of the bits and pieces that caught Tim O’Connor’s eye in the world of harness racing…
THE HERO…
LEAP TO FAME
Okay, be honest… How many times have you watched Saturday night’s Cranbourne Gold Cup replay?
The Queensland hero added another special moment to his extensive highlight reel when he lunged to beat rival Kingman in one of the sport’s great races.
I’m not sure how he did it when looking beaten with 100m to travel, but champions seem to have a way of producing the seemingly impossible.
With Larry likely bound for stud duties in the near future, this might be the last Victorian campaign for Australasia’s greatest ever money earner.
So make sure you go see him at either Kilmore this Saturday or Melton for the A G Hunter Cup on February 14.
AT LONG LAST…
SHANE SEALS FIRST WIN!
Well, you can’t say Shane Taylor hasn’t worked hard for his first winner in the sulky.
What a great result it was for the 50-year-old Ballan horseman at Maryborough yesterday when his charge Magic Law led and won the Redpath Tyre and Battery Service Trot by a neck.
The victory came at Taylor’s 99th drive and proves the highlight in a career that started in March 2021.
Click here to watch the replay.
DROUGHT-BREAKERS…
TOP NIGHT FOR TRIO!
Three trainers registered breakthrough wins at Melton last Friday night.
Bruce Donaldson, Brendan Said and Peter Sant all broke long droughts, which ended a combined winless period of 25 years!
Read Paul Courts’ wonderful story here.
A GREAT AFTERNOON…
CALCUTTA
All is in readiness for the Calcutta event at The Rising Sun Hotel in Melbourne on February 13 ahead of the AG Hunter Cup and Great Southern Star.
The function is set to start at 4pm and everybody is welcome to attend.
Purchase your raffle tickets here and follow proceedings live on TrotsVision, with the initial draw at 5.30pm and the auction at 6pm.
APG SALES…
A FILLY WITH A CAUSE
A yearling on a mission to help sufferers of Friedreich Ataxia will go under the hammer at the Australian Pacing Gold sales at Oaklands Junction on February 15.
The Pebble Beach-Heavenly Scent pacer has been consigned by Melfield Estate and recently met Leah and Hayley, who battle FA (see image).
Five per cent of her sale proceeds will be donated to Friedreich Ataxia Research Association, which is a not-for-profit organisation that supports research into treatments and a cure for the inherited genetic condition that causes progressive damage to the nervous system.
“She’s a beautifully put together filly, athletic with a little bit of spirit,” Melfield Estate’s Steve Dickson said.
“We are going to paint one of the filly’s hooves in the foundation’s colours of blue, orange and pink to help raise awareness to the disease.”
Click here to check out the Lot 176 filly.
SOMETHING TO PONDER…
Got much planned for the March long weekend? If not, I’ve got the perfect idea for you.
The annual Birchip meeting has grown into a two-day event, and you won’t want to miss it!
A Calcutta function has been planned for Saturday, March 7 at the Birchip Hotel before Victoria’s very first harness slot race – the Running of the Bulls – takes centre stage on Sunday, March 8.
Accommodation? The club has partnered up with Swell Shelter to provide glamping tent options for both nights, with a mini village to be set up at the track across the weekend.
Click here for more information.
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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.
