Some of the bits and pieces that caught Tim O’Connor’s eye in the world of harness racing…
THE HERO…
JILLIBY NITRO
How good is the old boy going?!
Jilliby Nitro was the toast of the Sunraysia on Saturday night when he scored victory in the CA Fitness Mildura Pacing Cup Final.
It followed prior wins in the Geelong and Terang cups, and took his career prizemoney up over $590,000.
He’s racing in incredible form at nine years of age and gave driver Lochie Cook another major thrill, with the 25-year-old reinsman in the bike for all three of those big country features.
ALL EYES ON…
BULLET’S WA MISSION
What a story it would be if Bulletproof Boy – arguably Victoria’s most popular pacer – could land victory in the $1.25m The Nullarbor at Gloucester Park tonight.
Scott Ewen and James Herbertson will team up with the 11-year-old, who will take his career earnings past $1million regardless of where he finishes this evening.
The race is set for 10.24pm AEST.
GREAT TO SEE…
MICK CROSSING CODES
Golden Slipper-winning thoroughbred trainer Mick Price has caught the harness racing bug.
Price was active at last weekend’s Nutrien Equine Standardbred Yearling Sale, going home with shares in three yearlings.
He paid $75,000 for a colt by The Storm Inside out of Art Major mare Caitlyn Clarke and $30,000 for an Art Major colt out of A Few Dollars More.
Additionally, Price also negotiated a 20 per cent share in the $100,000 Bettors Delight-Bamako Mali colt bought by Rob Watson’s Soho Standardbreds, who is going to Mick Stanley’s Menangle stable.
Click here to read Adam Hamilton’s full story.
ON THE COMEBACK PATH…
CHRIS ALFORD
Australasian harness racing’s most successful driver remains sidelined after back surgery, but is eyeing a return in the next couple of weeks.
Alford is continuing his recovery and told thetrots.com.au that he hoped to be back racing at the end of the month.
The 57-year-old last drove at Bendigo on March 18 and has 24 wins to his name this season.
HELLO, GOODBYE…
LEMON AND BACKY TRADE PLACES
Sad to see Ryan Backhouse return home to native Tasmania following last weekend’s Mildura Pacing Cup meeting.
The 20-year-old has been a popular member of the Victorian driving ranks for a number of years and leaves with 196 wins to his name.
While Backhouse is back in the Apple Isle, fellow Tasmanian Liam Older is again based here in Victoria.
“Lemon”, as he’s affectionately known, spent the past year or so in his home state, but now does work for Tatura trainer Craig Turnbull and Kialla conditioner Rebecca Bartley.
He announced his comeback in a big way at Shepparton on Tuesday with a winning double behind Thunderfire and Roam.
He has now driven three winners since his return last month.
ONE FOR THE BLACK BOOK…
FRANCO NICKELBACK
Looks a really progressive horse from the Julie Douglas stable, who suffered his first defeat at Bendigo last week.
He did a huge job there to only be beaten 9.2m after an early gallop and is one to follow into the future based off his prior three wins.
FROM THE RACING OFFICE…
PUSH OUT RULE
A change to the Push Out Position rule will be tested at Melton meetings from April 24.
Under the trial, the position moves from its current location at the entry to the back straight to the 400m mark. Red discs will be placed on both the inside and outside of the track to indicate the new position.
The trial is planned to run for a minimum period of three months before a decision is made on whether to adopt the initiative across all tracks in Victoria.
Victorian Trainers and Drivers Association president Emmett Brosnan said: “This trial is one of a number that have been requested by the association for some time to assist in a change of the racing pattern and provide more competitive racing.
“Drivers can move forward prior to the 400m mark knowing they will be able to do so without fear of being moved four and five wide, whilst those in the running will need to make a decision to come out or stay in their position.
“It should provide for more exciting racing and assist in stimulating turnover.”
Click here to read more.
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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.
