The Port Pirie track and pacer Hes Just Rusty will be forever special for up-and-coming reinsman Josh Holberton.
Holberton, 26, drove his first winner at Port Pirie, landed his first treble at the track, then last Friday night secured his second.
Incredibly, from the six wins in the two trebles, Hes Just Rusty supplied four.
Last Friday, Hes Just Rusty won the Shane Davey Pace (1609m), Marzzz Barzzz Bazz gave Holberton his second win in the Elders Insurance Pace (1609m), then Hes Just Rusty brought up the treble in the ‘Follow The Stars’/McMahon Services Pace (1609m).
Holberton, one of the up and coming stars of SA harness racing drove his first winner at Port Pirie on Saturday, April 11 last year landing Jaydens Boy a photo-finish winner.
His first treble came on September 23 this year with Hes Just Rusty winning two races and Artmania making it three.
To try and ensure enough fields to keep meetings afloat, the Port Pirie club has chosen to run two heats of races at particular meetings and Holberton has taken advantage on the Dale Afford-trained Hes Just Rusty.
Last Friday night, Hes Just Rusty was able to lead in each of its races and simply proved too strong.
In the Shane Davey Pace, with three late scratchings owing to a float breakdown, Afford was able to work to the front on Sporty Mac from gate five but then handed up to Hes Just Rusty which had shown pace from gate two.
Backed from $2 into $1.50 favourite, Hes Just Rusty sprinted up the third quarter in 27.8 then cruised home 3-1/2 metres clear of Sporty Mac ($7.40) with Sir Julian ($10.10), 5-1/2 metres away third.
In the ‘Follow The Stars’/McMahon Services Pace, Hes Just Rusty ($1.20 fav) had no trouble leading from gate one and again cruised home 4-1/2 metres clear of Destined To Take ($7.50) with Sir Julian ($8.60) again third, one metre away.
“I was amazed but Dale was telling me about the plan after racing for Hes Just Rusty,” Holberton said.
“He has a young girl who would love to take him to ride. I think it might be a way off as Hes Just Rusty is racing really well, is only seven, and I would have thought he had a few more seasons ahead.”
Holberton thanked Moonta Bay trainer Mick Darling for giving him the drive on Marzzz Barzzz Bazz in the Elders Insurance Pace.
Marzzz Barzzz Bazz ($4.90) led throughout to score a head win from All Starzzz Megan ($14.70) with Wills ($4.40) a metre away third.
Holberton was able to hold the lead from gate one and rated a slow 32.5 second quarter before sprinting up coming home in 29.3 second third and final quarters.
Wills sprinted strongly off the back and grabbed a long neck to a metre lead early in the home straight before tiring as Marzzz Barzzz Bazz fought back to reclaim an advantage and hold off the fast finishing All Starzzz Megan.
The treble enabled Holberton to jump to fourth on the SA Drivers premiership with 13 wins for the season.
In his first full season in 2015-2016, Holberton finished sixth with 41 wins, a remarkable effort.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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