SPORT: Harness Racing with Len Baker
Welcome to a new year of harness news. 2025 saw the ‘Summer Of Country Cups’ commence in January going all the way through to the Mildura Cup in April.
Gem of a race
January 4: It was Garrards Horse & Hound Bendigo Pacing Cup night, a 2650 metre Group 2 event carrying a stake of $75,000 and what a finish it was with Cranbourne part-owner/trainer Scott Ewen’s ever reliable 10Y0 Art Official-My Riviera gelding Bulletproof Boy scoring his biggest and most significant success, although he did win the $50,000 2021 Smoken Up Sprint held at Bendigo amongst his 45 victories and 44 placings from 203 starts for stakes of $647,541.
Driven a gem of a race by James Herbertson, Bulletproof Boy starting from gate three on the second line settled four back in the moving line as the heavily supported $1.50 favourite Kiwi Tact McLeod (Anthony Butt for Mark Jones) had little difficulty in crossing Ideal Escape (gate two) from gate four.
Enjoying a charmed passage at the head of affairs, Tact McLeod had it all his own way until Triple Eight (one/two) went forward approaching the bell with Bulletproof Boy immediately latching to his back and Cantfindabettorman (one/four) following the pair.
Gaining cover at the expense of Cantfindabettorman with a circuit to travel, Bulletproof Boy enjoyed a sweet passage before angling three wide on the final bend to give chase as Tact McLeod dashed away on turning appearing to have the race safely in his keeping.
Under heavy driving from Herbie, Bulletproof Boy responded to blouse Tact McLeod by a nose in a tricky finish which had all guessing, with roughie Ultimate Vinnie (four pegs from inside the second line) after easing off the inside approaching the final bend running the race of his life for a closing third at odds of $151 1.2 metres away third delighting trainer Sam Barker and reinsman Allan McDonough.
In quarters of 29.6, 28.6, 28 and 28.1 after a lead time of 76.2. Bulletproof Boy returned a mile rate of 1-55.7.
Shepp. Gold Cup
January 11: Shepparton Gold Cup night. The (Group 3) $50,000 Neatline Homes Shepparton Gold Cup over 2690 metres has always been a great race on the top echelon horses with past winners such as Last Command (1962), Maestros Melody (1964) Rising Flood (1965) Raiarmagh Pool (1968), Bold David (1969), Tara Meadow (1970), Deep Court (1971), Just Too Good (1973), Royal Gaze (1974/75), Popular Alm (1982), Quite Famous (1987/88), Sokyola (2005) and Sting Lika Bee (2006/07) to name just a few with this year’s event going to NSW 9Y0 A Rocknroll Dance-Mes Ti Tsepi gelding Kanena Provlema in sensational circumstances due to the disqualification of the winner Captain Hammerhead who was gigantic in a race that will last in the memory bank of harness followers forever.
Trained at Menangle by Kerryann Morris and driven by Victoria’s James Herbertson, Kanena Provlima was first to begin from gate two in the capacity field with the first shock to come when favourite Tact McLeod (gate three) about to challenge went off stride losing valuable ground settling just off the leaders allowing Perfect Stride (gate six) after a slick start to be caught without cover momentarily as Captain Hammerhead trapped wide from gate four joined the pacemaker with David Moran quickly finding out the front running was unavailable.
Regaining his composure, Anthony Butt sent Tact McLeod forward to race exposed before Captain Hammerhead not content with the one/one passage vacated the prime spot to again race exposed with around two laps to travel. Applying pressure to Kanena Provlina prior to the home turn, the pair raced away to fight out the finish with Captain Hammerhead first up since October asserting his authority to gain the day in an unbelievable performance.
Ever reliable mare Sew What after a cosy trip trailing the pacemaker from the pole battled on gamely for third as the rest of the field had dropped off on turning.
Following a lengthy delay prior to the all clear, Captain Hammerhead was disqualified from the race when driver Moran was charged by stewards for ‘dropping his leg’ and making contact with the horse over the closing stages promoting Kanena Provlima to first, Sew What 2nd and Perfect Stride 3rd , with old timer Western Sonador fourth. The margins 7 metres by 2.4 metres by a half neck.
Raced by Bathurst’s Ben Settree, Kanena Provlima in quarters of 27, 29.9, 27.5 and 28 after a lead time of 80.6 seconds returned a mile rate of 1-56.
Biggest of all
January 18: The biggest of them all – the $100,000 (Group 2) Woodlands Stud Ballarat Pacing Cup over 2710 metres went to ultra consistent 10Y0 Art Official-My Riviera Girl gelding Bulletproof Boy for Cranbourne trainer Scott Ewen adding to his Bendigo Cup success much to the delight of his large number of co-owners including trainer Ewen who were ‘Over The Moon’ with elation.
With James Herbertson in the sulky, Bulletproof Boy began very fast from gate three with Ultimate Vinnie (gate two) going with him and lightning beginner Mach Dan burning across from outside the front line for Mark Pitt to make a line of three, with Ultimate Vinnie easing out of the battle as Bulletproof Boy and Mach Dan went head and head into the first turn with Mach Dan never looking likely to cross leaving him exposed.
Run in even sections, it was Bulletproof Boy leading from polemarker Hector (Jordan Leedham) following, Mach Dan uncovered, being trailed by Kanena Provlima (David Moran – gate five), Ultimate Vinnie (Allan McDonough), Ideal Escape (Ellen Tormey gate two on the second line), Perfect Stride (Chris Alford gate three second line), Tango Tara (Kate Gath from the extreme draw) and Serg Blanco (Ryan Duffy gate four) which once again had no luck after being trapped wide. Perfect Class (Kerryn Manning from inside the second line settled three pegs) being followed by Our Vincent Van Gogh (Jack Laugher gate four second line) and Rocknroll Walla (Jackie Barker after being eased from gate six).
With no moves being made until Kanena Provlima angled three wide running into the final bend, Bulletproof Boy after travelling comfortably kicked clear with Hector easing off his back to challenge with the pair racing away. Holding a margin all the way up the running, Bulletproof Boy recorded a 1.3 metre margin over Hector after surviving a short lived protest. Perfect Class using inside runs was third 4.3 metres back and rank outsider Our Vincent Van Gogh a half head away fourth.
In quarters of 29.5, 29.5, 27.8 and 27.5 after a lead time of 80.2 seconds, Bulletproof Boy returned a mile rate of 1-55.5 only point seven seconds outside last years winner Kanena Priovlima’s 1-54.8 track record.
Some lessor stake Cups – Echuca, Cobram Hamilton and Wedderburn were also held during January which made exciting racing for those in attendance.
The $12,000 Moama Bowling Club Echuca Pacing Cup over 2160 metres on January 1 saw Kialla trainer Stephen O’Donoghue combine with Murchison reinsman Ryan Sanderson to land the major prize with lightly raced 5YO Art Major- Cullens Ace gelding Followtheace. Bred and raced by long time stable client John Eichhorn who resides on the Gold Coast, Followtheace began fast from gate five to lead and rated to perfection, ran out an easy 10.8 metre victor in advance of Cotchinellie (one/three- three wide last lap) which ran home well. Scheming (death- one/one) was 6 metres away third. The mile rate 1-58.2.
The $15,000 Jim Phillips Memorial Cobram Pacing Cup over 2170 metres on January 6 had to be transferred from the day before due to extreme temperatures in the district and it was Tatura father and son – Craig and Abbey Turnbull’s lightly raced Sweet Lou-Hot Blooded Woman 4Y0 gelding Sirlou a most impressive winner. Making only his fourth race appearance, Sirlou (gate three) was left parked as David Moran’s On The Hunt began brilliantly from outside the front line to cross Lils Nightmare (gate two).
Despite to tough trip, Sirlou was always travelling on a tight rein and raced clear over the concluding stages to register a 3.6 metre margin over Big Bad Ossie who was gigantic after coming from the tail of the field and four wide running into the final bend. Lils Nightmare held third a head away. The mile rate 1-58.9.
The $30,000 Matthews Petroleum Hamilton Pacing Cup over 2660 metres on Sunday January 12 saw action aplenty from the outset. Fast beginner Lake Bolac (gate four) began best to lead with the hot favourite Stormryder (gate five) unable to cross and Exotic Bushranger (gate six) trapped three wide with Michael Stanley putting the foot down to try and obtain the lead opening up the field, however ‘Herbie’ was having no part of this which enabled Exotic Bushranger to drop to his back relegating polemarker Dance Away to three pegs and Young Bluey four back from inside the second line.
Operative Line and Glen Craven were off and running from mid-field once the speed eased to try and join the leaders, but Mark Pitt (Stormryder) was having no part of this resulting in Operative Line having to restrain back to the rear with David Miles letting rip from five back with Arggghhh to do similar and was able to join the leader with little hope of crossing him.
It was then Aaron Dunn and Dee Roe after restraining from outside the front row at the start going forward from the tail with a rush at the bell and showing great acceleration assumed the front running role to lead for the last lap. Holding a handy lead approaching the home turn with a charge emerging from behind him, Dee Roe had enough in hand to register a 1.6 metre margin over Young Bluey which had been extricated to receive a three wide trail home in the last lap on the back of Rocknroll Walla (one/four) which led up the three wide line for the last lap.
Although very wide on the final bend, Young Bluey ran home strongly but couldn’t catch Dee Roe, with Rocknroll Walla a meritorious third 1.5 metres back and Exotic Bushranger fourth a metre away after using the sprint lane.
Raced in partnership by Aaron Dunn and Helen Friend, Dee Roe trained by Aaron in Horsham in quarters of 29.3, 29.1, 29.6 and 28.5 after a lead time of 75.9 seconds, returned a mile rate of 1-56.4 one point 2 seconds outside Wardan Express’ 1-55.2 set in 2019.
Wedderburn one of Victoria’s oldest established clubs held a tremendous Cup Day on Sunday January 26 featuring the 2555 metre Loddon Shire Wedderburn Pacing Cup and 2955 metre Reeves Earthmoving Wedderburn Trotters Cup both valued at $15,000, supplemented by the Llowalong Farms sponsored Central Victorian Pacing and Trotting Championships – the trotters over 2150 metre, with the pacers a 1750 metre dash.
Kialla part-owner/trainer Stephen O’Donoghue deserves plenty of accolades after resurrecting 8Y0 Western Terror-Refresh Me gelding Western Sonador to land the Pacers Cup. Driven by Shepparton’s Bec Bartley who has had a strong relationship with the horse since he first stepped foot on the track, Western Sonador (gate two second line) making only his 65th appearance at the races (11 wins and 15 placings) settled three back in the moving line as Red Cliffs roughie Go Away Again led from gate two. Once balanced, Raging Whitebait was immediately set alight to go forward and park outside the pacemaker in the back straight on the first occasion and while all this was going on, Western Sonador travelled beautifully.
When Raging Whitebait took care of the leader prior to the bell and raced clear, Western Sonador now one/one was off and running to effortlessly join the favourite for the final circuit.
Turning for home in front Raging Whitebait was a spent force shortly after as Western Sonador surged clear, with both Shadow Celt one/one and Lincoln River three wide from last running on.
Refusing to give in, Western Sonador gave plenty to prevail by a half neck from Shadow Celt and Lincoln River a nose away who flew late for third in a thrilling finish. The mile rate 1-58.6 (last half 57.9 – quarter 29.7).
The Trotters Cup saw Ardmona trainer/driver Donna Castles victorious with strong staying ever reliable 8Y0 Crazed-Meridith Castle mare Berriesandcherries. Despite a slow beginning from a solo 20 metre backmark, Berries-andcherries was sent forward three wide to join the leader Yankee Lover with two laps to travel.
Taking over in the last lap, Berriesandcherries showed a great will to win, reaching the wire 2.6 metres clear of Tripod (four pegs) which extricated wide on the final bend, with in-form gelding Robbinmemates (one/two – three wide last lap) third 4.7 metres back. The mile rate 2-05.6 (last half 60.5 – quarter 30.2).
It was a terrific day for the Donna Castles/Doc Wilson duo who won three and one placing for the afternoon
The Central Victorian Pacing Championship went the way of Leichardt trainer Ben Pell’s honest 9Y0 Mach Three-Western Spirit 9Y0 gelding Valiente in a mile rate of 1-57.1. Driven by James Herbertson, Valiente (gate five) enjoyed a sweet trip three back in the moving line as Sunraysia hope Terror The Christian showed great speed to lead from gate three. Commencing a three wide forward move to join the leader at the bell, Valiente raced clear on turning to gain the day by 1.8 metres from St Arnaud’s Pesci from the tail. Terror The Christian held third 2.2 metres away. The mile rate 1-57.1.
The Central Victorian Trotters was easy for the Brent Lilley (Bolinda) trained ex-Kiwi 7Y0
Simon Roydon-Johns Ann gelding Johns Boy with Tristan Larsen in the sulky giving him another provincial feature.
Racing exposed from barrier five made no difference to the result as Johns Boy raced to the front on the final bend to win easily by 12.2 metres from Donna Castles’ Dances which jumped in front from barrier two. Aldebaran Demi (four pegs) was third 2.2 metres back. The mile rate 2-04.6.
Hunter Cup
It was Sportsbet A.G. Hunter Cup night at Melton Entertainment Park on Saturday and Victoria’s major feature race meeting attracted more stars than what you would see on the American flag.
Attracting a tremendous field including the best horse in the Southern Hemisphere Queensland’s Leap To Fame, giant killer Swayzee from NSW a duel NZ Cup winner and half brother who won last year’s race, Kiwi’s Republican Party, Tact McLeod and Don’t Stop Dreaming, plus Inter Dominion winner Don Hugo along with Shepparton Gold Cup victor Kanena Provlema and a host of other open class winners, the race was set to be the highlight of the season so far and it was.
Gaining a great run through the field from gate four on the second line although trapped wide as Tact McLeod led from gate two in the 2760 metre feature with Republican Party trailing from the pole, Swayzee was off and running in the straight with two laps to travel.
Don Hugo (gate four) was trapped in the open being trailed by Leap To Fame which was able to come away from four pegs to possie one/one on his back, with outsider Hector now four pegs.
Leaving the prime spot prior to the bell to race exposed to the roar of the crowd, the two fancied runners were set to fight out the finish with Leap To Fame joining the leader on the final bend.
In a two horse battle all the way up the running, Swayzee (Cameron Hart for trainer Jason Grimson) renowned for his staying prowess kept on giving under hard driving to gain the day by a head in a thriller over Leap To Fame, with Republican Party using the sprint lane inside Tact Command for third a half head away a head in advance of Tact Command which also used the sprint lane.
In quarters of 28.2, 28.1, 27 and 27.6 after a lead time of 80.9 seconds, Swayzee returned a new scintillating track record mile rate of 1-51.9 taking 1.3 seconds of Tiger Tara’s 1-53.2 set in 2019.
Both the runner up and third placegetter may run in next Saturday’s $100,000 Cranbourne Cup.
The $250,000 Great Southern Star over 1720 metres was a blowout with Andy Gath’s Majestic Son-Watts Up Rainbow 5Y0 gelding Watts Up Partytime bred and raced by Bradley Watts winning both the heat and final at given odds of 100/1 in both races, returning a mile rate of 1-53 in the final.