01 May 2023 | Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
Trainer Paul Medhurst took two runners to Hobart on Friday night and returned to his Colebrook base with two winners.
Starofremembrance was the first leg of his training double when taking out the Cavalor Equicare Pace for the rating 30 to 39 pacers.
The six-year-old daughter of Betterthancheddar was sent out as the $2.45 favourite and ended up one out and three back in the mile event.
Driver Ricky Duggan produced the mare out three and four wide from the 500m before they dashed away from their rivals to record a 7.9m win.
“She ran a good race the week before, she got back and I know she only ran seventh, but they got home in 29, 28 and 29, and she made ground,” said Medhurst after the race.
“It looked her race, and she was lucky to settle midfield.
“She goes really well for Jacob, I don’t know why but she seems to grow a leg when he drives, and she always runs on when he drives her,” the trainer explained.
The second leg of the winning double for the trainer came with Popnpennies ($16) in the Tasmanian Horse Transport Pace for horses rated no higher than 44.
Driver Ricky Duggan quickly jumped in to settle behind the leader before utilising the sprint lane to record the mare’s first win since April 2021.
The win was one of relief for the trainer.
“She has been a bit of a problem child since we had her.
“She came from Mildura (in 2021), we saw her for sale online and watched a few of her replays and decided to buy her.
“She had been tying up and dehydrating and things like that, but I have changed her feed, and her work, and her last two or three runs have been alright,” explained the winning trainer.
Medhurst only has three horses in his care, which is plenty for him at the youthful age of 68, but he wanted to acknowledge those that help him with his team.
“A lot of people help and I want to thank those for what they have done. I don’t do fast work any more, and without the help of a few that do that for me, I wouldn’t get it done.”
As for the celebrations, well, they were low-key.
“We came home and had a drink while watching the replays,” he said.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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