Experienced reinsman Greg Norman showed his younger rivals a driving lesson winning the BGC Industrial Cleaning Supplies Pace (1800m) on Emily Bromac at Globe Derby Park on Saturday night.
Norman produced a classic front running drive on Emily Bromac ($6.70) which scored a 5-1/2 metre win from Beau Artist ($9.40) with Dougs Limousine ($1.40 fav), one metre away third.
He used the mare’s brilliant early speed to zip across and lead from gate six before recording 31.6 and 31.1 quarters, increasing to 30.1 before dashing home in 28.6 making it near impossible for her rivals to catch her up the home straight.
Norman, a prominent trainer-driver for many years, retired from the sport before returning to become the South Australian trainer for Terry, Adam and Ben Cormack who have an impressive harness property outside Two Wells.
Jock Dunlop has been the stable driver for the Cormack family for many years but Norman decided to drive Emily Bromac “just to keep his eye in.”
“She didn’t handle the trip away to Mildura last time and over-raced,” Norman said.
“She was a lot better tonight and settled really well. She doesn’t have to lead but when in front I was able to control the tempo.”
The win brought up a training double for Norman and he now has 11 winners for the season to be equal fourth on the SA Trainers premiership.
His earlier winner was the smart mare Just Rockon Bye, also an all the way victor in the Trotsguide.Com.Au Pace (1800m).
Norman is using the handicapping system to build an impressive record as Saturday night’s win was in a Young Drivers/Concession penalty-free race.
Prominent trainer/driver Aaron Bain had the drive and after working to the lead cruised along to score a good win.
Backed from $1.50 into $1.20 favourite, Just Rockon Bye scored by three metres from Hilltop Sophia ($7.10) with Royal Safari ($17.20) a long head away third.
Bain had comfortable middle quarters of 31.8 and 31.5 before increasing for a 27.7 final sectional.
“She certainly has gears,” Bain said, “she is a very nice mare.”
Just Rockon Bye was purchased from New Zealand by AB&T Cormack Racing Pty Ltd and now has an impressive record of eight wins and four placings from 18 starts.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
