October 24, Limestone Bay
A friendship with one of Australasia’s harness racing legends Robert Cameron has paid dividends for South-East trainer Greg Scholefield.
Cameron was the trainer of bonny New Zealand champion mare Robin Dundee among a host of classy performers and he suggested Limestone Bay might be a worth consideration to purchase.
Scholefield took his advice and the now five-year-old is proving an excellent moneyspinner.
At Globe Derby Park on Saturday night, he took his record to 16 wins from 29 starts with a victory in the Maughan Thiem Ford Ranger Pace, heat one (2230m) taking his stakes past $57,000.
A $2.90 chance, Limestone Bay, driven by Jock Dunlop, sprinted home strongly to score a 1-1/2 metre win from Metrorama ($5.50) with Abitgoingonhere ($2.40 fav) seven metres away third.
“Robert doesn’t ring unless he believes the horse can pay its way,” Scholefield said.
“He rang first to suggest Glenferrie Rustler which was very good for the stable and which is now racing well in Western Australia.
“Then he rang for Limestone Bay and he is proving a smart pacer.
“We’ve had some issues with him but I think he is now getting back to his best.
“He ran well first up from a spell, then improved this week and I think he will be even fitter next week in the final.”
Scholefield said Limestone Bay was a gross horse and his appearance could be deceiving regarding his fitness.
“I trialled him at Mount Gambier recently against a smart horse and his times were outstanding so I knew he was ready for tonight.”
The race was set up with Abitgoingonhere being hard driven early by Ryan Hryhorec to take the early lead despite coming from gate nine.
Hryhorec was able to get away with a slow 32.5 first quarter but he was always going to vulnerable to a challenge from the quality of horse such as Limestone Bay and so it proved.
Dunlop moved Limestone Bay around to challenge down the back straight and after a short battle the South-East pacer drew clear to score.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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