Bronte Nieuwenburg is helping out Tim O’Connor this week while he enjoys a break, picking her favourite bits from the harness racing week that was and the one ahead…
THE HERO
RILEY PACE BREAKING THROUGH AND DARREN CHASING TROT WINS
One of the biggest winning salutes I’ve seen came from Riley Pace when steering his first winner to victory last Wednesday at Bendigo aboard Blazin By, a horse trained by his father Darren. The win was extra special for the family, who bred and own the gelding, and it also marked the horse’s first win.
It has been a purple patch for Darren as well. Earlier this month, Sam Nien ran third in the Group 3 VHRC Holmfield before winning impressively at Maryborough. Darren has now trained three consecutive winners this month, with Majestic Party Boy also finding the line first at Cranbourne.
HOW GOOD WAS…
OUR MARVELLA
Great to see the consistent trotting mare Our Marvella back in the winners’ circle on Saturday night at Melton. She is always thereabouts against the best trotting mares and finally got her chance to shine when she found the front.
Looking back on her career, Our Marvella has led in six races, winning five of them. She is definitely one to keep in mind next time she draws well off the front row.
CAN’T WAIT FOR THIS!
LEAP TO FAME VS SWAYZEE
The brothers Leap To Fame and Swayzee are set for a rematch on October 18 at Melton in the Victoria Cup.
Swayzee showed he is back to his brilliant best on Wednesday with an outstanding first-up trial, running 1.49.9 to defeat Max Delight and Hi Manameisjeff. His immediate target is the Len Smith Mile on Eureka night in two weeks, but all roads lead to that showdown with Leap To Fame.
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR…
The final Eureka slots must be locked in by Monday and Victorian slot holders Team Zav and Summit Bloodstock are still weighing up their choices.
Team Zav look likely to choose between their own horses War Dan Buddy and Fox Dan, who will both step out on Saturday night at Melton. They will be keen to put their best hoof forward in a bid to earn selection.
As for Summit Bloodstock, Go Miki and Miki To Success appear the most likely contenders, or perhaps the horse not taken by Team Zav. The picture will be clearer by Sunday or Monday ahead of Tuesday’s barrier draw.
Emma Stewart already has Bay Of Biscay locked in as a confirmed runner.
POP THIS IN YOUR DIARY
1ST TO 30TH PROSTATE FOUNDATION
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Michael Bellman and James Herbertson will join forces throughout the month as ambassadors for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
The duo will wear silks emblazoned with the charity’s logo in a bid to raise awareness for a disease that more than 25,000 men are diagnosed with each year.
Harness Racing Victoria will donate $200 to PCFA for every winner Bellman and Herbertson drive during September. More details will be available soon at thetrots.com.au
ONE FOR THE BLACK BOOK
MITZI SAID
One of my favourite mares to follow late in a race is Mitzi Said. She is often storming home with a wing on every hoof.
On Saturday night she charged into second behind Go Miki after covering an extra 27 metres when racing wide. She was only beaten 11.4 metres. Back in June she did something similar, flashing home for second behind Safia at big odds.
She is one I definitely don’t want to miss when she finally finishes on top.
SOMETHING TO PONDER…
HORSES MAKING IMPROVEMENTS LATE IN THEIR CAREER
Something I’ve noticed more often lately is horses making huge leaps forward late in their careers.
We saw it years ago with Just Believe, and more recently with Im Bobby, who has gone from a solid Saturday night horse to an outstanding free-for-all trotter. He has now won six straight and looks unstoppable.
On a smaller scale, the trotting mare Champagnes has found a new gear, winning by 30 metres at Maryborough this week.
It is not just trotters. Max Delight is another example. Early in his career he won the NSW Derby, a Breeders Crown and a Victoria Cup, but then went through a quieter period with only a handful of wins over the following years. Fast forward to 2025 and the nine-year-old has finished fifth in the Inter Dominion final before producing back-to-back career-best wins (on times) in 1.48.9 and 1.48.8.
So what drives this late-career improvement? Do some horses simply get better with age? Is it a change in scenery, a new driver, or perhaps just good fortune? Whatever the answer, it highlights the strength and durability of our incredible standardbreds.
Photography: Claire Weston and Stu McCormick
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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.
