Some of the bits and pieces that caught Tim O'Connor's eye in the world of harness racing...
THE HERO
OLIVIA JARDINE
It’s always exciting to see a driver taste their first success at the races, and that was certainly the case when young reinswoman Olivia Jardine prevailed at her home track of Maryborough on Monday.
The 21-year-old produced a peach of a steer to get Nick Youngson-trained outsider Champagnes home in the Aldebaran Park Concession Drivers Trot.
Jardine has only had a short-term interest in harness racing and scored her maiden win at just her ninth official drive.
Well done, OJ. Plenty more to come!
HOW GOOD WAS…
NIKOLA JOKIĆ
Anyone who has ever owned a winner will have seen a little bit of themselves in the megastar basketballer last week.
Jokić was brought to tears when his horse, Demon Dell’Est, scored victory in the Dužijanac event in Serbia.
Many on social media were blown away by what the win meant to the 30-year-old and commented on how much more emotion he showed than when he claimed the NBA Championship with the Denver Nuggets.
Seriously, if you haven’t seen it, take a look at the vision here. It’s beautiful.
FIGHTER COMMAND
The Jess Tubbs-trained pacer will be the sentimental favourite in this year’s TAB Eureka.
Fighter Command booked his place in the world’s richest harness race with a dominant victory in Saturday night’s Beautide at Hobart.
The Tasmanian-bred four-year-old was a favourite of Tubbs’ late husband Greg Sugars and needed life-saving surgery due to a twisted bowel in the days leading up to last year’s Eureka.
Now, nearly 12 months on, he’s one of the major fancies in the race for Sugars’ great mate and star driver James Herbertson.
The $2.1 million TAB Eureka will be run at Menangle on September 6.
ONE FOR THE BLACK BOOK
LOUIE LOU I
It has been a great start to the campaign for Chris Svanosio’s top pacer, and he looks ready to win very soon.
Louie Lou I has run eye-catching placings in all three starts this campaign, including a third from four back the fence to Diamond Eclipse on July 26.
Keep an eye out for him this Saturday night at Melton.
SOMETHING TO PONDER
Some great news was delivered early last week, with Harness Racing Victoria revealing that $2.75 million in Vicbred Vouchers will be handed out to owners and breeders over the next two years.
After sifting through the FAQs at thetrots.com.au, I was pleased to see that the $5000 vouchers can be combined between multiple owners and used at the sales or for a booking with a Victorian-registered sire.
It’s certainly something to keep in mind if you’re one of the lucky winners of one of the designated 550 races throughout the coming 24 months.
For more information on the Vicbred Vouchers scheme, check out the press release here.
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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.