Tim O'Connor picks his favourite bits from the harness racing week that was and the one ahead...
THE HERO
GATESYS GEM
It was fabulous to see Trafalgar trainer Glenn Hunter complete the big double with his star filly Gatesys Gem at Menangle on Saturday night.
A promising two-year-old who never quite put it together on the big stage last season, Hunter’s pride and joy backed up her Group 1 NSW Trotters Oaks triumph with victory in the elite-level NSW Trotters Derby.
Luke McCarthy was at the controls for both victories, with Gatesys Gem now boasting a career record of eight wins from 12 starts and over $150,000 in prizemoney.
HOW GOOD WAS…
BRUCE HARPLEY’S SALUTE
Incredible scenes at Wagga last Friday night when the driver of the runner-up, Needbee, raised his whip in triumph despite being comfortably beaten.
But Bruce Harpley had good reason.
Harpley was overcome with joy as he charged into second behind stablemate Tick A Loch, who powered to victory in the TAB Regional Championship Final for Cam Hart.
The 58-year-old Harpley trained both runners, with his connections pocketing $71,000 of the $100,000 prize purse from the race.
And how about Stephen Hunt’s photo of the moment? What a brilliant harness racing image.
Watch the replay of the race here.
CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS!
THE BIG NIGHT
The Victorian Harness Racing Awards night promises a memorable mix of premium dining, entertainment and heartfelt celebration at Melton Entertainment Park on Monday, May 26.
You can follow all the action on the Harness Racing Victoria social media channels from 6pm, with a full video replay of the evening to be available on Tuesday.
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR...
SUPER MUM
New mother Tayla French will be back in the sulky this Saturday night, just over three weeks since giving birth to her first child.
French and her partner, top trainer Alex Ashwood, welcomed little Levi into the world on May 2 and the 28-year-old reinswoman will team up with the stable’s headline horse, Parisian Artiste, just 22 days later in this weekend’s Hip Pocket Castlemaine Trotters Free For All at Melton.
Read the full story here.
POP THIS IN YOUR DIARY
JACKPOT!
$25,000 has been added to the Early Quaddie pool on Saturday night at Melton, with a $150,000 projected pot.
My suggested ticket on races 1-4 is as follows:
4, 10
4, 7, 9, 10
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10
3, 4, 9
ONE FOR THE BLACK BOOK
HOWDY MATE
We’ve had a bit of luck following some young trotters in this space with Elle Perfecto and Karbine both saluting in recent weeks, so let’s stick with that theme.
Howdy Mate has some high-profile owners in media star Brittany Graham and top US trainer Nancy Takter, and it certainly looks like he’ll provide them with plenty of fun.
The Jess Tubbs-trained two-year-old drifted well back and found traffic on debut last weekend at Melton, but made up lots of ground in the run to the line to be beaten just 4.5m.
He looks smart and is one to follow second-up soon.
SOMETHING TO PONDER
Plenty to get excited about next summer in Victoria following the launch of a stacked six-week carnival that will kick off 2026 in style. (If you haven’t seen it, have a read here)
But how do we capitalise on the good vibes and make this a festival of harness racing that can win new fans and excite existing ones?
The racing will be incredible – that will take care of itself – but what else will help make this a period of growth?
I loved what Harness Racing New South Wales explored during the Carnival of Cups, with big-name artists bringing another dimension to a day or night at the trots.
Sure, it probably wasn’t cheap, but is something similar worth exploring in a bid to expose a new generation of people to the sport many reading this column already love?
Maybe. Maybe not. But all ideas are worth considering with such a crucial period on the horizon. I’d love to hear yours.
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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.