Seventeen years ago Pinjarra horseman Kim Young was working at the Alcoa refinery when he convinced workmates Kevin and Tim Egerton-Green and Cole Smith to buy a Victorian mare Waranga Scooter.
The Egerton-Green brothers and Smith agreed and Waranga Scooter gave them their first interest in harness racing. It is a decision they have not regretted.
Waranga Scooter made a successful West Australian debut when Young drove her to victory in a 2272m stand at Williams on February 13, 2000. Waranga Scooter had 32 starts for her new owners for eight wins and two placings (all in 2000) before being retired to stud. Her five foals have all been winners and, to date, they have won a total of 37 races for stakes of $266,392.
Her final foal Sheez Edgy, bred and raced by the Egerton-Green brothers and Smith, is trained and driven by Kevin Egerton-Green’s son Dylan and she looks set for a bright career after her first 18 starts have produced seven wins and four seconds for $43,436 in stakes.
Sheez Edgy has bright prospects in the Seminars at Gloucester Park Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night when she will start from the favourable No. 2 barrier on the front line.
“She’s been out of the top five only twice in her career,” said Dylan Egerton-Green. “I think we have placed her pretty well, in Westbred and races for mares and also using the junior concession. And that’s all made it a bit easier.
“She’s consistent and has been good enough to get the job done most of the time. I was quite surprised with her effort last Friday night (when second to Foxy Dame). I thought it was a real step up in grade and I probably didn’t drive her the best, and she made me look better than I was.
“This is still a step-up this week. I’ll be trying to find the top and hold the lead if possible. She runs well in front. Mon Lillies and Bettors Gem have drawn out wide, but they possess very good gate speed and there will definitely be some speed on early. We’ll have to assess things when the gate goes back.”
In what should be a good betting race, Foxy Dame, a smart all-the-way winner last week, will have many admirers, even from barrier eight. And a good case can be made for most of the 12 runners, including Shes Artful, a New Zealand-bred four-year-old who has won at seven of her 24 starts, including wins at her past two outings, over 1780m at Northam and over 2150m in Kalgoorlie.
Shes Artful, trained by Greg and Skye Bond and to be driven by Ryan Warwick, is favourably drawn at the No. 3 barrier on the front line.
For the record, Dylan Egerton-Green has driven all five of Waranga Scooter’s foals in races. Dilinger Magic raced 136 times for seven wins, 25 placings and $54,938 in prizemoney, Maximum Demand raced 99 times for 13 wins, 23 placings and $106,608, Fifty Hertz has had 84 starts for six wins, 21 placings and $40,831 and Heez Down To Earth has had 20 starts for four wins, seven placings and $20,579.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
