I’m the first to admit I haven’t been a fan of slot races.
While some rave on about the concept as though it is the second coming, the tangible benefits simply haven’t been delivered.
So far, the hype and promises have outweighed the results for the industry.
Enter the Birchip Harness Racing Club, which rejigged the concept to a more true harness racing ‘grassroots’ concept with its Running of the Bulls.
After witnessing yesterday’s inaugural edition, I’m a slot race convert.
Marketed and targeted to perfection, the $125,000 feature created a buzz akin to an Inter Dominion Final despite being nowhere near a capital city and absent of the sport’s stars.
This was a race for restricted class pacers, which gave ‘Joe Battler’ a genuine chance to compete.
In the end, the Running of the Bulls delivered more than it promised – a stellar crowd crammed into the venue, the atmosphere was electric and the race itself was a thrilling spectacle.
And the exciting finish couldn’t have been better scripted, with Wicked Confession scoring by a head from Golden Tribe, with Sanchez a half-neck away third.
Unbeaten from three starts for trainer Alex Ashwood, Wicked Confession rated 1:58.3 over 2150 metres with James Herbertson in the cart.
Topping off the amazing tale, the daughter of Mcwicked was only recently purchased by Tayla French for $3000.
“I noticed her a few weeks earlier and thought she seemed like a nice type, and then when she popped up for sale, I ‘ummed and ahhed’ but Alex said we should buy her and the rest is history,” French said.
“I never dreamed though she’d be winning a race like this. In fact, it was only when I worked her a few days before the race that I knew she should be in the race, before that I thought Gareth (Hall, slot holder manager) was crazy.
“All credit to Gareth, he had more faith in her than I did.”
Given Hall’s origin, the victory also doubled as a local success.
“This is a great thrill in front of a big crowd,” Hall said. “I couldn’t even see the finish because of so many people on the fence cheering and I was trying to watch it, but what a thrill.
“For it to be in my hometown makes the whole occasion even better.”
PHOTO: SEN
