Cranbourne-trained pacer Captain Bellasario recorded the fastest ever winning run at Warragul on Monday to win the $25,000 Eastern Challenge Pace.
Captain Bellasario covered the 2210m race distance in just over two minutes and 37 seconds – which equates to a mile rate of 1:54.5min – to slice 1.7 seconds off the previous track record mark set in October last year.
A decade ago, such a time would have been hard to fathom around Warragul, but with the redevelopment of the race circuit in 2014 – with increased camber and improved surface material – race times have caught up with the modern era.
Warragul punches well above its weight now with regards to fast race times, especially as it ranks as one of the smaller circuits in Victoria.
Captain Bellasario gave trainers Jayne Davies and Noel Alexander their fourth win in the Eastern Challenge event and the first for the stable since they sold their Clyde property last year and took up residence at the Cranbourne Harness Racing Training Centre.
Incredibly, it was Captain Bellasario’s first race start since December 31 last year, having raced against some of the best of his age as a three-year-old.
“He’s always looked like he’s capable of something like that,” winning driver Jack Laugher said.
“As he’s got older, he’s got better and better, and he’s probably still got improvement left in him I’d say.”
“As long as he comes through his runs okay, he’s likely to go all the way this one. He’s definitely a very smart horse.”
The winner is raced by Gregory Jose and Sharyn Munnerley-Jose.
Monday’s meeting recognised the stalwarts of the former Warragul and District Light Harness Club, with many past members in attendance.
The Ken Miller Memorial Pace was run in honour of a past president of the Light Harness Club and attracted a full field including several locals.
It was won by the Peter Thompson-trained Duffy Hollow, who was first-up from New Zealand and driven by Peter’s daughter Kate Gath.
The four-year-old led throughout as a short-priced favourite.
Another Light Harness Club stalwart, Chris Hunter, landed a popular win when Sovereign Tiger took out the day’s other feature, the Des Kelly Memorial Trotters Handicap.
Driven by Chris’s son Glenn, Sovereign Tiger has built a nice record this year of four wins and four seconds from 12 starts.
Another popular victory on Monday was that of Playa Blanca in the fourth race. The success continued a great run for young Warragul horseman Nathan Rothwell, who trains two horses with his twin brother Will at Logan Park.
The Rothwells have produced four wins and six minor placings from their last 15 starters.
Their efforts have not gone unnoticed, with reinsman James Herbertson full of praise for the stable after steering Playa Blanca to victory.
“All the credit goes to the young fellows,” Herbertson said.
“They’re young fellows with no family connection to the sport, but you would think they’ve been in it their whole lives. The horses are presented very well, and the way the boys present themselves at the meetings, it’s a credit to them and also to their parents.
“They’ve done a really good job in the time they have been in the sport.”
Warragul Harness Racing Club officials were delighted with the attendance for Monday’s meeting, which returned to the local calendar for the first time last year behind locked gates due to COVID restrictions.
The best weather conditions locally in almost a week saw a very strong crowd pack the clubrooms, with children’s activities, live music and an appearance by the Gippsland and Sporting Classic Car Club also drawing plenty of interest.
Organisers turned on a great day and there was an exciting atmosphere on course, which will give the club plenty to work with for next year’s long weekend event (where there is some talk there may also be greyhound racing conducted).
Attendances at Warragul meetings have been quite good since COVID restrictions have eased and the WHRC has significantly boosted its membership base in an attempt to further increase public awareness of its activities.
There is now a gap in the calendar before the next trots meeting at Logan Park on Monday, September 12.
