THE HERO…
JOE THOMPSON
Harness racing lost one of its most passionate and influential figures earlier this month, with the legendary Joe Thompson sadly passing after a long battle with illness.
Thompson was a Group 1-winning trainer, former Charlton Harness Racing Club president, incredible community contributor and champion person.
He was farewelled by hundreds on Friday and laid to rest in his home town of Charlton, which he loved so dearly.
Trainer and journalist Terry Gange paid tribute to Thompson with an incredible piece of writing the day after his passing, perfectly describing the man that so many knew and grew to adore. I’d encourage you to spend five minutes having a read of it here.
Farewell, Joey. You’ll be sadly missed but never forgotten.
MAIDEN WINNERS…
REASON TO CELEBRATE
Daniel Zammit and Trent Fiscalini were born just a few months apart in 1990 and shared a special day together at Maryborough on December 1.
The 35-year-olds both claimed breakthrough wins at the meeting, with Zammit preparing Riddlemethis for his maiden success as a trainer before Fiscalini partnered Tim Mortlock-trained Double The Hunter to his first victory in the sulky.
You can watch the replays here.
CROSSING CODES…
BEN’S LOVING THE TROTS
It was great to see Ben Allen enjoying himself at Melton Entertainment Park on December 6.
The multiple Group 1-winning jockey stopped by the track on his way home from the Ballarat Cup meeting and spent time chatting with participants, including Chris Alford and James Herbertson.
Allen also jumped in the back of the mobile to experience the view alongside starter Jason Fino before chatting about his new-found interest in the sport with myself on TrotsVision.
The top hoop was also spotted at the Kilmore meeting on December 11.
SAD PASSING…
RAKERO REBEL
The stud career of Group 1-winning mare Rakero Rebel has been tragically cut short after falling victim to a snake bite.
The mare had only been recently purchased by prominent breeding establishment Success Stud in New South Wales.
Part-owner Gary Jarvis is disappointed the daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven has been denied the opportunity to leave a legacy on the track.
“Unfortunately, we won’t get to see her progeny race. I would have loved to see them go around and probably would have ended up buying one,” Jarvis said.
“I’ve got a shrine to her at my place with everything she won. She certainly changed my life.”
Purchased by the late Greg Sugars and trained by his wife Jess, Rakero Rebel took out the Group 1 Queen Of The Pacific last year and was a finalist in this year’s Inter Dominion Grand Final at Albion Park.
The mare provided long-serving Geelong Harness Racing Club president Neil Allen with a lifetime thrill when she won this year’s Geelong Pacing Cup.
Rakero Rebel headed to stud boasting a career record of 16 wins and 23 placings from 59 starts for more than $450,000 in stake earnings.
NEW YEAR’S EVE PLANS?…
YOUNG GUNS NIGHT
The third annual Garrard’s Young Guns Series is drawing near.
The top 10 under-25 Victorian-licensed drivers based on season wins up to and including November 30 have earned a spot in the event, which will take place at Melton on December 31.
They will compete in ratings-exempt races throughout the New Year’s Eve meeting, with a sliding points scale based on finishing positions used to declare an overall winner.
The drivers are: Ryan Sanderson, Luke Dunne, Jordan Leedham, Ryan Backhouse, Liam Older, Tasmyn Potter, Connor Clarke, Ewa Justice, Sean O’Sullivan and Taylor Youl.
ONE FOR THE BLACK BOOK
KARTIARE
What an eye-catching run it was by one of Gary and Debbie Quinlan’s charges at Melton on December 6.
Kartiare was having his first start back in the Quinlans’ care following a stint in Western Australia and was unlucky not to have made it a winning return.
The horse was held up rounding the home turn, but sprouted wings to run second while cutting the margin on winner Curyo Gentleman to 3.3m on the line.
It’s hard to see him not winning soon based off that effort.
SOMETHING TO PONDER
Plenty happening around the revamped Summer of Glory carnival, which will take centre stage in Victoria between January 10 and February 14 next year.
And part of the build-up will include Calcutta events on the Thursday before respective feature meetings at Shepparton, Ballarat, Kilmore and Melton for the Hunter Cup/Great Southern Star.
The Calcutta dates are as follows:
Shepparton Harness Racing Club – Thursday, January 15
Ballarat Harness Racing Club – Thursday, January 22
Kilmore Harness Racing Club – Thursday, February 5
The Rising Sun Hotel – Thursday, February 12
More information will be communicated in the coming weeks, but it’s worth jotting the dates down in your diary if you’d like to attend or get involved via online options.
Chances are you’re about to lose. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
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.
