HAZELMERE trainer/driver Mark Reed, a Monday regular at Pinjarra Paceway, walked the walk and talked the talk to anyone who would listen before last Friday’s Golden Slipper event.
He rated the chances of his two-year-old gelding Aussie Reactor as a real threat in the group one $125,000 race, even though all power seemed to be with ten-times success story of the current season James Matthew, trained by Peter Anderson for owners Ian and Hazel Brandon and driven by fresh-faced teenager Morgan Woodley.
With an open gate for harness racing enthusiasts, provided by Gloucester Park, the mobile barrier in place and youngsters keen to make their mark in the dash for cash, the red light came on to the groans of the huge crowd trackside and a false start was declared.
Away at the second start, Aussie Reactor was quick to take up a prominent position, leading from barrier two.
James Matthew raced four wide, but with the reins in Morgan’s control the son of Parsons Den took the lead, with punters in a positive frame of mind that win eleven and the long held record of San Simeon was about to go under.
Reed had other ideas and even locked wheels in the shadows of the post could not stop the winning momentum of Aussie Reactor as Reed saluted not just in sheer joy at winning the prestigious event but also in recognition of breaking his run of outs as a trainer.
His last success in the city as a trainer was in 2004.
While some sections of the large on-course crowd showed their disapproval of the win, the fairytale story of James Matthew’s rise to prominence, along with the development of Morgan as one of Australia’s most recognisable young drivers, has been a promoter’s dream for harness racing here in the west.
The battle of both horse and driver added a new dimension to a story that will not have its sequel until the talented youngsters meet again after well deserved time in green pastures.
Both Aussie Reactor and James Matthew are heading to the spelling paddock for time out.
At Pinjarra Paceway last Monday after some tremendous negotiations by new club president Ray Woodley, father of Morgan, and a generous gesture by James Matthew owners Ian and Hazel Brandon and trainer Peter Anderson brought the two-year-old, who has earned in excess of $200,000 in his first season of pacing, to Pinjarra for an exhibition run.
The disappointment of being defeated last Friday was shelved as horse and driver received rousing applause as they took to the 1000m track, giving veterans, baby boomers and excited school holiday youngsters a chance to be up close and personal to a horse and driver that have been a promoter’s dream for this season and hopefully many to come.
Last Friday will remain in Ravenswood trainer/driver Darren Schofield’s memory for quite some time.
Schofield, a local fishing inspector, had a dead heat with his brother Greg in the first race of the ten-event card.
Darren saluted with nine-year-old Massarua and Greg with nine-year-old Stanley Moore.
Mandurah residents Gino Monaco and Lindsay Severn, along with Kevin Jeavons, are enjoying a winter of racing they will long talk about as the winning streak of former NZ conveyance, four-year-old Washakie, trained by Garry Hall Snr and driven by Hall Jnr, continues to gather momentum.
Washakie was an easy winner of the 2008 Winter Cup, adding to his four from four successful runs since joining Hall Snr’s stable.
Even with pads applied to his two front hooves after an injury scare during the previous week, the son of Badlands Hanover gave every indication he will be a force to be reckoned with.
He is just four years old at the moment but racing against much older and more experienced company.
The John Higgins Memorial qualifying heat two run at Pinjarra Paceway last Monday was full of talent and the spirited racing by some top city class horses had punters flocking to the fence to urge on their selection in the 2170m event.
With first to fourth qualifying for the final on August 1 at Gloucester Park, the speed was on from the outset of the $7500 event.
But it was five-year-old Sneakyn Down Under and three-year-old Mr Odds On, driven by Colin Brown, who took centre stage as the horses turned for home on a tremendous track surface, prepared by track curator Fred Harrison, rating an amazing 56.3 3rd quarter with a final mile rate of 1.58.1.
Sneakyn Down Under won the race but with Mr Odds On held up in the shadows of the post, the winner of the final is going to be dart board stuff.
Other winners on the school holiday program were Here Comes Thomas, Chantic Sarah, Natural Instinct for Frank Vanmaris, Malhana Destroyer in the first trotters’ event held at Pinjarra Paceway, Conrod Black, Azerbaijan for trainer Nigel Johns and Cosmic Power in the last of the day.