Korweinguboora reinsman Eddie Conroy returned to the winners’ stall for the first time in three years when The Wool Broker scored a narrow victory at Geelong on Friday, October 16.
A member of the well-known and respected Conroy family from nearby Daylesford, Eddie’s passion for harness racing was rewarded when the Elite Stride gelding out of Pepperell Magic captured the Evolution Lodge Vicbred Voucher 2YO Trotters Mobile over 1609 metres.
The victory was much to the delight of real estate proprietor Steve Carter and his partners, who race the gelding.
Making his fifth race appearance, which had yielded two placings, The Wool Broker is trained by close neighbour Philip Chircop at Bunding.
Beginning safely from gate four, The Wool Broker was unable to cross Wheredasundontshine, driven by Ryan Sanderson for trainer Jess Tubbs, who held the inside advantage from gate three.
Eased to settle behind the leader, The Wool Broker enjoyed a sweet run and appeared to be travelling comfortably throughout before angling away from the inside approaching the final bend.
The pair drew clear on turning for home, with Conroy nursing The Wool Broker to the line. The gelding responded with a giant final stride to snatch victory by a head from Wheredasundontshine, recording a mile rate of 2:05.
Seriously Sal, which began badly from gate two, made up considerable ground to finish third, albeit 43.2 metres from the winner.
Conroy, who assists Chircop a couple of days each week, had not visited the winners’ stall since October 2023, when Lair Of The Eagle, a horse he also trained, scored at Ballarat.
