08 January 2018 | Terry Neil
IT was a humble six-race affair at Bathurst last Wednesday but the presence of Harness Racing New South Wales Chairman Rod Smith, fellow Board member Peter Nugent and NSW Minister for Racing Paul Toole had everyone wondering if they were caught up in a Groundhog Day re-run of the Carnival of Cups meeting held on Boxing Day.
No such worries. All was soon explained, when they participated in the race presentations and celebratory photographs for the first two races, not as invited guests but as winning owners.
Rod Smith has named many of his horses after family, with the familiar “Kriden” prefix deriving from daughters Kirsty and Denae and, more recently, there have been lots of “Sams” and “Zaras” in recognition of his grand-children.
Grand Zara (Amy Rees for John O’Shea) was one of three such Zaras in the 3CO opening race, and she came with a strong sprint to account for Doctor Somes, with Zaras Dance grabbing the minor end of the prizemoney.
It was the first run in seven months for the well-bred youngster, whose dam is an Art Major half-sister to millionaire Caribbean Blaster.
That long break helped account for her generous starting price of $16.90, in a market dominated by Scarlet Babe, which was put out of play after a scrimmage in the early stages of the race.
There were two happy sets of grandparents following this race. The enjoyment trackside at Bathurst was shared at suburban Cawdor, near Menangle, by (co-owner) Lynn and Paul Fitzpatrick, with their son Blake’s daughter Zara one of the two grand-kids making up the name of the winner.
A grand result all round, wouldn’t you say?
Carla’s Angel (Gemma/ Mat Rue) scored a similar win in the C0 second, coming from the running line to edge out Panther Star and Star Play, and the Rock N Roll Heaven daughter was first-up in almost nine months.
Mat Rue went into some detail to explain that the mare has been quite difficult to train, and get back to the races, and for that reason he was particularly grateful to her new owners, who had bought in on his recommendation when she came on the market.
Asked whether they were first-time owners, he replied that just one of them was, and then couldn’t keep his straight face any longer as the group of them, who had quietly made their way down to the presentation area and been listening closely, indicated their presence by coming forward for a photo.
Board member Peter Nugent was accompanied by the Racing Minister (and local Member) Paul Toole and by club life-member John Brien, who’s raced many good winners over a lifetime in the sport. Also part of the ownership group but absent this time was Shane Gilchrist, the local Toyota dealer.
They were naturally in very good spirits as they joked their way off the track, Paul Toole agreeing with the suggestion that the night was shaping up as Board Members Night at the Paceway, and that being appointed as a Board member was a sure-fire way to own a winner!
There would undoubtedly have been lots of sledging at the winning owners during the course of the night, but there were plenty of congratulations too, and more than a few comments about the reassurance and “good look” of the industry’s decision-makers being involved at the grass-roots level.
Other winners at the meeting:
Poppy Cee (Wendy/Emma Turnbull) which used the sprint lane to good effect in an M1-backed fast class sprint, a particularly sentimental win for Parkes owner Geoff Cole, whose mum Dot was laid to rest just after Christmas after a long illness. The Browning Blue Chip gelding, named for his late father Russell, continued the grandparent theme of the opening
The two divisions of the C2-backed sprint, giving Steve Turnbull a training double, were taken out by El Gran Señor NZ , with Mitch Turnbull working to the lead at the bell and holding on strongly in a 57.3 final half, and by Destiny Warrior (Amanda) , which controlled the race from the start, despite pulling pretty hard throughout. Both started as short-priced favourites.
Shannonstheman (Mackayler Barnes for Peter Bullock) in the 2260 metres maiden closing race, working to the lead and roaring away over the closing stages for the night’s easiest win, suggesting that the Rocknroll Hanover/Artsplace son might finally be learning his craft and living up to his breeding.
Bathurst HRC will race again on Friday week, January 19, when the annual Oberon Night, featuring the $13,000 Oberon Cup and lots of charity fundraising, will take centre stage.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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