Harness racing devotee and former star broadcaster John Tapp would be getting enjoyment from seeing East To West racing well in South Australia.
Tapp, himself a prominent and successful trainer, sold East To West to Two Wells owner-trainer Michael Henneker as a three-year-old for $5000.
On Saturday night at Globe Derby, East To West landed a solid betting plunge firming from $15 into $6.80 leading throughout in the Morley Park Stud Spring Challenge heat two (1800m) scoring a 4-1/2 metre win from Night In Berlin ($19.70) with Goodsie ($7.60) nine metres away third.
Driver Kerry Brown drove East To West with great vigour at the start and the six-year-old kicked through from gate two to hold the lead and it was obvious from race caller Jim Jacque’s voice that once in front the gelding would be hard to beat and so it proved.
The win was a boost to trainer Michael Henneker who was badly injured in a stable accident in June.
“One my horses, The Debt Collector, stood on my foot,” Henneker said. “It didn’t break any bones but there was an infection which caused two abscesses and a blood clot.
“I had two operations and was laid up for a few months. I was lucky because doctors told me it could have taken up to 12 months to heal.”
Henneker had to give East To West to fellow trainer Shane Loone while he was off the scene.
“When the horse came back to my stables I felt he was too light and it took me a while to get the weight back on him but his form has been improving and tonight he was able to capitalise on the good draw.”
Henneker said he actually had purchased several horses from the broadcast legend and rang him from time to time to keep him up-to-date with their progress.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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