23 April 2024 | Ashleigh Paikos
Great weather, great crowds, and an even better line-up of horses, what more could you want for Australia’s richest Group 1, the $1.25million The Nullarbor, with Gloucester Park hosting the feature last Friday on what could only be described as a great spectacle.
Regency Foods, managed by harness owner and enthusiast Rob Tomlinson once again provided a fantastic lead up to the event, with their social media coverage hyping up the big race, with the slot even offering TABradio listeners a chance to join their VIP event on the night.
Listener Alan Keenan ‘Crackers’ was announced as the winner during the week, and what a prize, with Catch A Wave ultimately taking top spot in the feature for Regency Foods and Andy and Kate Gath.
“The experience was awesome, we obviously met the Regency Foods team initially, I know Rob Tomlinson was in hospital at the time, but his wife Michelle introduced us to the rest of the team, and we went down prior to The Nullarbor, probably 15 minutes before the race and met Kate and Andy Gath, got a photo with Catch A Wave and Kate Gath,
“Going back to the Regency Food team and watching the race closely with them and celebrating afterwards, it was a pretty special experience.” Keenan mentioned.
“We went into the winners bar after the race and obviously celebrated there until the next race was run, just seeing the expression and the joy on their faces and being a part of that team, you couldn’t not be happy with their result and the outcome of the race.”
‘Crackers’ who’s involved in thoroughbred ownership in Perth is an avid listener of TABradio does have a dabble in harness racing and although hasn’t experienced ownership, was thrilled with his VIP experience last Friday night thanks to the Tomlinson family and Regency Foods who were remarkable in their lead up to The Nullarbor.
With the Western Trilogy a success over all three codes, Racing WA’s Head of Harness Racing Cameron Brown stated, “With the upgrade to Group 1 status, we were thrilled with the quality of field we witnessed on Friday night, with it being the best seen at Gloucester Park the 2017 Inter Dominion.”
Catch A Wave and Hot And Treacherous have stayed to contest this weeks $300,000 Retravision Fremantle Cup, with the Gath trained Catch A Wave drawing barrier seven, and Hot And Treacherous drawing barrier two, alongside Lavra Joe who’s drawn the pole.
The pint-sized racers made their way to Gloucester Park with 11 of our future drivers vying for glory with two races on the night, including the Pony Tots Eucla and The Nullarbor.
Maisie Reeves and Shes A Lucky Pepper took out the first race, the Pony Trots Eucla, with Ruby Russell and Let Loose The Goose taking out their feature, The Pony Trots Nullarbor in race two.
Alex Russell, who turned 16 earlier this year finished up his pony trots journey, ironically on his 100th start. We wish Alex all the best in the future and will no doubt see him take the step up into driving and through the reinsperson school in the near future.
Re-live The Nullarbor below:
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