The first anniversary of racing on the revamped Warragul Pacing Bowl saw two track records broken at a well attended meeting on Monday afternoon.
The Chris Alford trained and driven Tabanan recorded a blistering rate of 1:54.8 for 1790 metres in the fifth event, an almost unheard of performance on a half-mile circuit such as Warragul.
Earlier, Montu broke the 2210 metre time record, rating 1:57.8 in a rough race for trainer Ross Sugars and his reinswoman daughter Kylie.
Race times were fast all day, in part due to the dry and warm weather conditions, but also due to the quality of the new racing surface, which keeps improving all the time.
In the final race of the day, Trafalgar pacer Live In Doubt swept down the outside to score a narrow, last stride win for trainer driver Glenn Hunter.
Live In Doubt was equal winner of the most consistent Horse of the Year at Warragul two years ago, and has begun this racing season at the Warragul Pacing Bowl in fine style.
Highlight of the afternoon was the four race winning haul to driver Chris Alford – Gonski, Miracle, Tabanan and Bay Tint, which places Alford at an early advantage in the battle for this season’s drivers premiership at Warragul.
Local horseman Michael Hughes also landed a win, with Rocknroll Gold collecting his first victory for a big syndicate of local owners. This victory was the first leg of a driving double for reinsman Nathan Jack.
During the afternoon the most consistent performers for the last season of racing at Warragul were honoured with awards, including leading trainer Jayne Davies, reinsman Greg Sugars and junior reinsman Josh Duggan.
Locally owned and trained trotter Stoned Again was the most successful Horse of the Year for last season, with delighted connections enjoying the club’s hospitality during the afternoon.
Popular club Manager Alison McDougal was also farewelled during the afternoon, having chosen a change in direction after 18 months with the trotting sport.
Racing returns to Warragul just before Christmas on Wednesday, December 23, with the hospitality area on-course almost fully booked already for end-of-year celebrations.
Kyle Galley
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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