Warragul-born horseman Chris Lang and trotter Rogue Gentleman produced a dashing track record run to win the opening heat of The Lang Trot at Logan Park on Monday.
The trotter ran a mile rate of just over two minutes for the 2210m journey, leading basically all the way from a 10m handicap mark at his first race since April.
The time took 1.5 seconds off the track record, and is the fastest ever mile rate recorded by a trotter at Warragul.
Trainer-driver Lang now has sights set on the $10,000 final of the race named in recognition of his family’s association with trotting over many years.
A further qualifying heat of the race will be staged at Geelong this Friday night, with the $10,000 final at the same venue on Saturday week (22nd).
The Lang Trot is a joint effort between the Geelong and Warragul clubs and this is the first staging of the race.
Monday’s Warragul meeting was attended by a big crowd, with over 120 people in for lunch as part of the club’s first Seniors Day at the trots.
There was a great atmosphere, keen betting on local events, live music from the Warragul Municipal Band and plenty of giveaways on the spinning wheel from generous local businesses.
Other racing highlights included some big bets landed on the first race winner, Sophisticated Franco, and Up And About, who won the fourth race at long odds at his first race start in almost a year.
Local pacers Onehandonebounce and Illawong Phoenix also scored popular wins.
Warragul races again on Monday, November 21.