Bendigo Harness Racing

Duo out to extend winning streaks in Sunday's Central Vic Championship Finals

Ryan Hryhorec drives Rejuvenation

27 January 2012 - It certainly seems to be the weekend for horses looking to increase their winning streaks. The two most notable are champion thoroughbred Black Caviar and outstanding standardbred pacer Sushi Sushi which are each on track for 17 straight unbeaten performances. At Charlton on Sunday two horses won’t get the press of the other two star equine headline makers but they will race for handsome prizemoney cheques at the major country meeting. The St Arnaud Club host the finals of the Warehouse Sales Central Victorian Pacing & Trotting Championships and both finals have brought together outstanding fields with two horses, Rejuvenation and Galleons Prospect standing out with winning streaks. The South Australian trained trotter Rejuvenation shoots for 8 wins in a row in the $30,000 Group 2 Trotting Final and former New Zealander Galleons Prospect is out to keep its unbeaten six win streak in Australia in place. There is no doubt that the Central Victorian Trotting Championship Final is Rejuvenation’s toughest assignment. Trainer Ray Goble brought the Wind Cries Maori gelding to Charlton for the Boort Club heat earlier this month and with talented Adelaide reinsman Ryan Hryhorec steering he got the cash with Rejuvenation downing Enjoy A Coldie and Living Bonus. Elsu gelding Galleons Prospect hasn’t put a foot wrong for the Stewart stable and Chris Alford will drive the impressive pacer in the $30,000 Group 3 Pacing Championship. From the number two gate on the front row he will be highly fancied to continue on his winning way. The Central Victorian Pacing Championship program starts at 4:42PM on Sunday at the Charlton track. The Club has plenty of family activities planned with lucky draw prizes including a big screen TV and an IPOD for the kid’s competition.

Young drivers get a chance to star

Emma Bowles

25 January 2012 - The Bendigo Harness Racing Club and the Harness Racing Training Centre have introduced a unique new three race series for young drivers. The HRTC Rising Stars Young Drivers Series will be raced at Bendigo and Maryborough in February with the first of the three races being conducted at Bendigo next Friday afternoon, 3 February.
Invited drivers for the new HRTC sponsored Series were determined by the HRTC and BHRC this week with the list was randomly drawn from the eligible drivers. The Series is restricted to young drivers who have not had a lot of opportunities in their fledgling careers. To be eligible the drivers must have not attained the age of 25 years at the commencement of the current racing season and had less than 100 career drives at acceptance time for the first race of the Series.
The 11 drivers randomly drawn from the list of eligible drivers in order of invitation are:
1.       Charlie Martin
2.       Timothy McLean
3.       Michael Shrimpton
4.       Jacob Kerridge
5.       Leroy O’Brien
6.       Denbeigh Wade
7.       Corey Bell
8.       Casey Parker
9.       Ashley Manton
10.      Emma Bowles
11.     Aaron Woodhouse-Ashby
The reserve list of drivers is:
12.     Katrina Salathiel
13.     Jason Lee
14.     Danial Karacsay
15.     Luke Duthie
All races in the Series are “Penalty Free”. Bendigo’s race on 3 February is for 4yo & Older C1 to C2 (MS) over 1650 metres. The second race in the Series is at Maryborough for 4yo & Older C2 to C3 (MS) over 1690 metres with the final races of the Series at Bendigo on 19 February for C1 only (MS) over 2150 metres. Each race carrier $5600 in stakes with horses placed 6th to 11th earning $100. The leading Young Driver in the Rising Star Series (based on point accrued) will be awarded a trophy by the HRTC. All trainers with starters in the Series will be entered into a random draw for a prize valued up to $1000. An Owner (Managing Owner) with a starter in any race during the Series will also be entered into a random draw for a prize valued up to $1000. All trophies and prizes will be award at Bendigo on 19 February.

Bendigo leads Victorian Country Cups bonanza

The Bendigo Pacing Cup

23 January 2012 - Victoria’s ever evolving Choice Hotels Country Cup carnival is leading a remarkable resurgence in on-course attendance and wagering throughout the state.
Comprising 25 regional features over six months, Victoria’s Country Cup circuit continues to grow in status and is now at the forefront of a trend suggesting crowds are returning to the track. One of harness racing’s genuine heartlands in Bendigo spearheaded the renaissance with a bumper crowd resulting in a 38% increase in on-course turnover for their marquee meeting on January 14. Hamilton’s third Cup meeting since its refurbishment fortified the trend with a 12% rise in on-course wagering before Shepparton confirmed the revival with an almost capacity crowd and 26% lift in the key wagering statistic on Saturday night. North-east Victorian equine enthusiasts also came out in their droves for Ouyen’s first harness card in almost seven years yesterday afternoon. Hosting a crowd greater than the Mallee Township’s population, the Ouyen Pacing Cup programme also welcomed Victorian Minister for Racing Dr Denis Napthine to its Blackburn Park course. This followed the Minister’s sojourn to Hamilton one week prior and further exemplified the Coalition government’s unwavering commitment to harness racing in this state. Harness Racing Victoria CEO John Anderson attended the Shepparton and Ouyen Cups and was thrilled by the support of local communities in those regions and right around Victoria. “It has been great to witness such tremendous crowds in recent weeks,” he said.“The Clubs have done a great job promoting their Cups and I also thank the local media in each area for their contribution.” On Saturday night, Ballarat will stage their much anticipated Pacing Cup along with second round heats of the Inter Dominion Trotting Championship and The Pure Steel. Hosting some of southern hemisphere harness racing’s finest performers, Bray Raceway will also continue their rich association with the Sky Racing Nights of Glory carnival. Ten more Choice Hotels Country Cups will follow, with Wangaratta and Boort also set to stage their first hometown features since 2005 this March. - Jason Bonnington

Pumped up Jasper ready for Ballarat

Decorated Jasper after his Bendigo triumph

19 January 2012 - Decorated Jasper will pursue hometown grand circuit glory after capturing the group 2 Bendigo Pacing Cup on Saturday night.Ross Creek trainer Paul Rowse will give Decorated Jasper his next run in the $125,000 PETstock Ballarat Pacing Cup on Saturday, January 28.The Group 1 Ballarat event has long been a top priority for Decorated Jasper this campaign. His prospects of playing a major hand in the cup rose significantly, though, with his all-the-way victory at Bendigo. Decorated Jasper ($3.10 favourite) scored by two metres from Villagem ($6.50), with Captain Joy ($10.70) third. He rated 1:57.3 for 2650m after running the last 400m in 27.6 seconds.

Jasper wins Cup

Decorated Jasper (Jodi Quinlan) wins the Bendigo Pacing Cup

16 January 2012 - Ballarat trainer Paul Rowse celebrated the biggest win of his career when Decorated Jasper led from start to finish to win the $50,000 Group Two PETstock Bendigo Pacing Cup. Driven by the in-form Jodi Quinlan, Decorated Jasper ($3.10 favourite) held off Villagem ($6.50) by two metres, with Captain Joy ($10.90) flying home to be third. The win was Decorated Jasper’s first Group win and took his career prizemoney to just less than $350,000. “I was saying to Jodi (Quinlan, driver) after the race, I can’t believe he has won nearly $350,000 in stakes just winning $20,000 races,” said Rowse. “So to get a race like that is very special for us. “We know he is not as good as some of the elite Grand Circuit horses like Smoken Up, so we are thrilled to get a race like this.” It was a special win for Quinlan. She had already won the Maryborough, Yarra Valley and Horsham cups this season, but Saturday night’s win was the most special of the quartet. “Jasper is a favourite of mine,’’ she said. “It really hurt me to get off him in the Horsham Cup and drive Glenferrie Alexis. “He’s a wonderful horse. He really deserved to win a good race like this. “He travelled really well out in front and was always going to be hard to beat.” The first furlong was always going to be crucial in Saturday night’s race. Once Decorated Jasper held the lead from Our Malabar he was going to be the hardest to beat. Star Bendigo mare Make Mine Cullen worked to the death seat and gave Villagem a perfect sit in the one-one position. Quinlan gave Decorated Jasper an easy time in front, running the first half of the mile in 59.8 seconds. They unleashed a 28.4 third quarter, which saw off Make Mine Cullen, before sprinting home the final 400m in 27.5 seconds. Villagem was gallant in defeat, while Captain Joy produced a slashing final sectional to make good ground from the back of the field. Decorated Jasper and Rowse will now chase a win in their hometown Cup on January 28.A Ballarat Cup win would be extra special for Rowse as he is the chief executive of the Ballarat Harness Racing Club. - Adam Bourke (Bendigo Advertiser)

Cameron wins the Paris trip

Cameron Wilson & girlfriend Rachel Waight

16 January 2012 - Even the connections of Bendigo Pacing Cup winner Decorated Jasper couldn’t match the smile of Cameron Wilson. The 24-year-old from Bendigo was the winner of the Bendigo Harness Racing Club’s trip to Paris competition at Lord’s Raceway on Saturday night. Cameron punched the air in delight as his name was drawn out of a box containing thousands of coupons cut out from the Bendigo Advertiser. “This is unbelievable,’’ he said. “As soon as I heard the first name was Cameron, I knew it was me. “I’ve never been overseas before, so I better get a passport organised.” Cameron and girlfriend Rachel Waight won a trip for two to Paris, including flights, accommodation and tours. “I was reading the Bendigo Advertiser at work one day and saw the coupon and thought I’d have a go at it,’’ Cameron said. He entered 19 coupons in the competition. “On Friday I paid my sister one dollar for every coupon she could find for me. “It was worth it.” The Paris competition was a resounding success for the BHRC. Saturday night’s Bendigo Cup meeting attracted the biggest crowd in modern times, thanks largely to the fact Paris competition entrants had to be on course to collect the prize. “We couldn’t be happier with the crowd we’ve attracted,’’ BHRC general manager David Aldred said. “Even though the weather was a bit cooler the crowd was fantastic. “There’s lots of families, lots of young faces and lots of new faces enjoying harness racing. “The number of people telling us that they were coming to the Cup for the Paris competition has been enormous. “It’s worked for us and it shows if you promote something the right way, the people will come. “I’ve spoken to people tonight who have never been to harness racing before. That alone makes this a resounding success.”

Next race date

3 February 2012
Day Meeting

The Bendigo Harness Racing Club is considered Victoria’s premier, regional, harness racing venue with a state of the art harness racing track and first class hospitality facilities. The Club is one of Victoria’s major harness racing Clubs hosting a total of 40 race meetings per year. The Club’s slogan, “Setting The Pace”, reflects a proactive, innovative management style that governs the Club.

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Another milestone for Daryl Douglas

Bendigo's Daryl Douglas

16 January 2012 - Daryl Douglas achieved the outstanding milestone of 4,000 winners at a Ballarat meeting in December. The milestone passed without fanfare, but will be suitably recognised by HRV. HRV's CEO John Anderson has passed on his congratulations to Daryl, who now joins, Gavin Lang, Chris Alford and Chris Lewis as the only drivers to achieve that feat.

Addy beaten a head

Addy (inside) just pipped by Mestari in the trial

8 January 2011 - Spirit Of Bendigo, better known as the Race for Fun Club filly Addy made a great track debut in the official trials at Bendigo today. Racing from a standing start over 1650 metres, Addy began well for her driver Paul Campbell and led through every section before being nabbed right on the line. Addy finished second, beaten a head by Mestari (Joelene MycSwain). Campbell said he was pleased with the trial and will look for another 'qualifier' in a couple of weeks time before taking her to the races. A big crowd of Race for Fun Club members were at the Trials to see Addy's race and they weren't disappointed. The trial was delayed by a track inspection due to a very heavy shower of rain causing issues with the racing surface. After the trial, the fifth of 10, stewards cancelled the remainder of events.

Winning Hooves

Bruce Dalton's locally produced Worlds Best Hoof Oil have been big supporters of harness racing for many years and now their product will be given out as a bonus to winners at Lords Raceway. Each winning trainer of every race over the next six months will get a Worlds Best Hoof Oil product pack and there will be major Prize Packs of a Rug, Lead and Worlds Best Hoof Oil product on the sponsors named races. Worlds Best Hoof Oil is based at Longlea, just past the Lords Raceway. VIEW WEBSITE

Hey kids get your ponies fancy

Lead in Fancy Dress inspiration

20 January 2012 - The Bendigo Harness Racing Club will have a lead in class Pony Fancy Dress competition on Sunday 19 February at Lord's Raceway. The Sunday twilight meeting features the Girls On Fire Trotting Time Trial Events. Compeitors for the Pony Fancy Dress are encouraged to fancy dress both themselves and their pony. Great prizes for best fancy dress are assured including a Digital Camera, horse products and lots more, Stay in touch for more information or contact the BHRC on 54493205 during office hours.

Douglas' Devilish Smile at Ouyen

23 January 2011 Daryl Douglas abandoned family loyalty for Sunday’s historic 25,000 Greggs Electrical Ouyen Cup and he was rewarded when the Peter Tonkin-trained Devilish Smile scored a dominant win in the 2809-metre event.
The champion reinsman stuck with the horse on whom he won last year’s Group 1 Vicbred Super Series final even though his trainer/brother Glenn had two runners in the race and his decision was vindicated when the four-year-old proved too strong for Mickey Mac and Ohoka Nevada. Prominent owner Pam Hockham, who races Devilish Smile with her husband Russell, said Douglas’s decision boosted their confidence and gave them encouragement to make the long trip from their home in Brighton and attend the first harness meeting at Ouyen since 2005. “That was a good sign from Daryl, especially when Glenn had two in the race,” Hockham said. “We thought that was a very good sign for us.” “I think most people were a little bit wary because he was a four-year-old up against open class horses, but he’s a very good four-year-old and he showed that. “We took a big chance driving five hours up here, but we’re not sorry we did it now.” Douglas produced an innovative drive to help Devilish Smile, a son of Grinfromeartoear, enhance his already impressive standing start record. Devilish Smile landed in a dream spot early after a safe getaway from his second row starting position, but it was a lightning move at the 600m that proved decisive. Douglas vacated the one-out, two-back and surged right around to claim the front well before the home turn. The $4.60 second elect opened up a healthy lead at the 200m and with nothing making ground from the rear, was able to cruise home by just over 10 metres from a game Mickey Mac ($7.60), who fought on well after leading. Ohoka Nevada (20m), the $2.50 favourite, worked around to assume the death seat after a lap, but was under pressure from around the same time Douglas took off and had to settle for third, 15.7m from the winner. Glenn Douglas’s two runners, Jukebox Music ($6.40) and Our Hillview Gold ($15) – who Daryl drove to win last year’s Ouyen Cup at Mildura – finished fifth and last respectively. The victory was Devilish Smile’s fourth win from six starts in a stand. He has finished third the other two times, including the previous week’s Hamilton Cup, which was only his second run back from a spell that was preceded by a win in the Breeders Crown 3YO Consolation. “It was fantastic the way he won,” Hockham said. “It was just sensational. Peter said he’s come back better, he’s a lot tougher now, and he showed that with the way he won. “When he was one-out, one-back I knew we were in with a great chance because I know how fast he sprints home and then when Ohoka Nevada went round to the death we knew no one else would go because he wouldn’t let them past. “We knew he’d sprint home really well, but the way he did it was fantastic.” Devilish Smile posted a 2:03.7 mile rate, which included impressive closing sections of 29.2 and 29.1 seconds following a 62.2secs first half of the last mile. Despite being trained just outside Ballarat, Hockham said it was unlikely Devilish Smile, now a winner of 19 of his 44 starts and $268,000, would contest Saturday night’s $125,000 PETstock Ballarat Cup and be saved for the 4YO Bonanza at Tabcorp Park the following weekend.

Bendigo champ Ron Pocock dies

Rothacker Medal winner Ron Pocock

16 January 2012 – Veteran Bendigo harness racing trainer and breeder Ron Pocock passed away yesterday, aged 84 years.
Pocock, the 2005 Harness Racing Victoria Gordon Rothacker Medallist, was actively participating in racing at Lords Raceway last year but a recent illness prevented him from continuing in the sport that was his life. A champion in racing and proud to call Bendigo home, Pocock was fourth recipient of Harness Racing’s highest award following Ian McCallum (2002), Geoff Hill (2003) and Jim Barker (2004) on the honour roll. Pocock provided exemplary service to the harness racing industry for more than 60 years. The astute and highly respected horseman fulfilled many roles during his career, but was best recognised for his breeding and training achievements. For more than half a century, Pocock nurtured and developed one of the State’s most successful standardbred families. The progeny of his foundation broodmares boast collective stake earnings in excess of $1.4 million. They delivered him a host of feature race wins, particularly with juvenile pacers which became his trade mark. Jasmarilla, True Roman, Jack Brandon, Ima Orphan, El Pablo, Gold Share, Six Oclock Rock, Next Bonus and Star Bonus are just some of the many quality horses Pocock has either bred, educated and/or trained. He was a member of the Bendigo Owners’, Trainers’ and Drivers’ Association for 30 years since being elected its inaugural President in 1975. In his younger years, he also played a significant role in developing the fledgling harness racing industry in the State’s north and was among a handful of volunteers who worked to develop tracks in this region. Before his recent illness prevent him from continuing his participation in racing, Pocock committed his energy and passion to training one or two pacers and breeding from a small band of broodmares. - David Aldred

Mon Stars in Bendigo's Maori Mile

16 January 2012 - Melton’s Merv Williamson reaffirmed why he’s regarded as one of Victoria’s premier trotting trainers when My Mon Star scored an upset win in Saturday night’s Maori Mile at Lord’s Raceway. In just his third run for Williamson, My Mon Star won its first race in more than a year when he flashed home late to defeat odds-on favourite Miss Warbucks by more than a metre, with Bendigo mare Sassy Pinevale running a good race to finish third. My Mon Star was one of New Zealand’s best trotters in 2010, but lost its way in 2011. The owners gave the horse to Williamson in a last ditch bid to regain some form. He ran third at Globe Derby in his first start for Williamson, before running a luckless 10th at Melton on New Year’s Eve. “When he arrived he had plenty of problems,’’ Williamson said. “We’ve worked on him and each week he’s got better. “We had to take him to Adelaide for his first run because he kept getting balloted out of races here. “He ran OK there, then at Melton he never got a crack at them and went over the line hard held. “The horse has got his confidence back and we’re starting to get the rewards.” My Mon Star wouldn’t have won had it not been for a masterly drive from Gavin Lang. My Mon Star settled back in the field on the pegs before gaining a split at the top of the straight and storming home to run down Miss Warbucks.

Addy gets her racing name - Spirit Of Bendigo

Christmas Spirit - Addy named Spirit Of Bendigo

20 December 2011 - Addy has a race name, she will race as Spirit Of Bendigo. Harness Racing Victoria ratified the name yesterday.
The name was supplied by Race For Fun Club member Kathleen Chester who wins a Gold Coast Holiday with five nights at the Palms Resort and $400 travel. Mrs Chester said she got the inspiration for the name after meet "Addy" with her husband John and her grandchildren at the Bendigo Harness Racing Club Race For Fun Club promotional day.
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