Two $25,000 time-honored feature races were held at Hamilton yesterday – the Tontine Pacers and Trotters Championships.

It was a Western District finish to the Taylor Toyota Tontine Pacers with Port Fairy residents Richard and Pauline Matthews (of Matthews Petroleum fame) racing the winner, Catch A Wave.

A very smart three-year-old gelded son of Captaintreacherous and Coppagoodone, Catch A Wave is trained by Andy Gath and driven by wife Kate, who has an impeccable record of six wins from seven outings that included the prestigious Breeders Crown final last year.

Catch A Wave was first up since November but began brilliantly from gate five to lead and, with no pressure being applied, raced away to register an untouched 11.6-metre margin win over Elegant, who trailed from the pole.

Holy Basil (gate three on the second line) ran home nicely from four back the markers for third a nose away. The mile rate was a slick 1:55.1.

The Alexandra House Sports Club Tontine Trotters saw seven-year-old Down Under Muscles-Earl Bella gelding Down Under Earl victorious for Armstrong trainer Danny O’Brien and Ararat owners Trent and Ross Fiscalini.

In an outstanding drive by James Herbertson, Down Under Earl stepped cleanly from barrier three to pounce on the lead before handing over to Elegant Jet, who began fast from 10 metres.

Not wanting to risk the sprint lane, Down Under Earl was eased three wide on turning and when asked for an effort, ran home stylishly to record a 6.7-metre win over Dont Care, with Homonym holding down third 6.5 metres away. The mile rate 2:02.5.

O'Brien has Down Under Earl racing in career best form at present.

Picture courtesy @GathRacing