By Jonny Turner
Ascot Park three-year-old The Bird Dance produced a stunning finish to win and provide a highlight on his home track on Saturday.
After being trapped three back on the markers, driver Brent Barclay negotiated a clear path for the Murray Brown trained pacer and he produced a brilliant burst of speed to win.
Before unwinding, The Bird Dance’s winning hopes looked bleak, when he was about five lengths off the leader, Bunter’s Dream.
Brown said commentator Dave McDonald summed the situation up well at the time, when saying his horse had ‘too much to do’ to win.
“I didn’t give him much hope, Dave McDonald summed it up, I thought he had too much ground to make up.”
“He has always had a bit of speed and he really showed it.”
The Bird Dance got to the winning post with a neck to spare over runner-up, The White Rabbit.
The pacer was having his first run since early March when competing in the 2200m event.
Brown said the spell the horse had enjoyed after his previous race had helped strengthen and improve the horse.
The trainer pointed out the greenness The Bird Dance showed when unleashing his powerful finish showed there was more improvement to come.
Brown said he plans to target the pacer at a three-year-old event at Gore, later this month.
The Bird Dance provided Brown with the second leg of a winning double after Dallas Grimes won two races prior.
The four-year-old did not provide her backers with the nervous moments her stablemate did.
Driver Sheree Tomlinson had Dallas Grimes in front from the 1400m and she scored by half a neck over Edie Jaccka.
Saturday’s Nugget graduation final produced a predictable finish.
Classy three-year-olds Chuckles, Tulsa Jaccka and Hampton looked set to dominate the $10,600 feature and they did not disappoint.
Chuckles scored by three quarters of a length over Tulsa Jaccka, with Hampton a further three quarters of a length away in third.
Disappointment turned to jubilation in around twelve hours for Riversdale breeders Brent and Caine McIntyre on Saturday.
The Macca Lodge father and son team were to have watched the classy filly they bred and educated, Balcatherine, contest the WA Oaks in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The filly, who was unbeaten in New Zealand under the McIntyres care was scratched on the day of the race by trainer Gary Hall Snr due after developing a foot abscess.
The McIntyres had something to celebrate later on Saturday when Cuchulainn scored a maiden trotting win in just his second start.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
