Local Wins at Charlton Trots
(By Peter Hibberd)
Last Monday’s meeting at Charlton was a very good day for local owners and a trainer.
The racebook stated the owners were Willowood Farm, but it was Paul and Danny Lowry, Brian “Pencil” Kelly and former local trainer Shane Sanderson. Paul and Danny purchased a property near Murchison which is called Willowood Farm with Shane Sanderson as trainer.
They had two winners on the day, the first being Secrets Kept, a three-year-old filly bred by a group of Birchip identities. Out of the mare Single Tree Road who won 8 races and 14 placings, this is her first foal to race and win. Driven by Ryan Sanderson, he used the sprint lane to win by 2 metres and well-supported to start at $3.80.
But it was the second winner for this group that all the on-track talk was about: a 3-year-old colt called Dallascowboy.
It’s breeding is by American Ideal out of a mare called Intrusive; this is the mare’s third foal raced with the first foal having already won 5 races. The grand dam had 12 foals and they won a combined 106 races. As has been proved over many years, good bloodlines produce good horses.
A very well educated horse had a good trail in the race. At the 400 metre mark Ryan came around the field to take the lead in the straight and came away for a very good win. Its mile rate was a comfortable 1-57-4.
Charlton trainer Tori Hutchins and driver Luke Dunne provided a winner for local supporters. Lester, who joined the stable late last year, has had 11 starts for 4 wins and 4 placings in that time. Since setting up at Charlton, Tori and Luke has seen many horses turn their Raceday form around.
In the race was well back in the field, Luke made his move at the 600 metre mark, was four wide on the bend but able to take the lead near the finish for a narrow win.
Results
Race one: Favourite punters got off to a good start when Lord Verde, driven by Jack Laugher, had a comfortable margin at the finish line, it has now won 3 of its last 5 starts.
Race two: Willowood Farm.
Race three: Willowood Farm.
Race four: The Clarke family provided the blowout of the day. Monsieur Flames, owned and trained by Stephen Clarke and driven by Reagan, led all the way at the odds of $14.00. Again the track was in top condition with a quick mile rate of 1.55.2.
Race five: Trainer Glenn Bull is a regular supporter of all local meetings. He does not have a big team of horses, but continues to win races. Last year, he had 41 winners and 90 placings; this year has already had 6 wins and 15 placings. At Charlton driving Fake Cullection, he was a cross and led from barrier 6. With even sectionals, he ran his last half in 57.4 for a narrow win.
Race six: Lester.
Race seven: An old fashioned betting plunge came off when Our Ultimate Gracy, driven by Kerryn Manning led all the way. Opened up in betting at $12.00 but with a lot of continued support started at $2.40. Speaking to Kerryn after the race, she said this horse had not been in the stable for long, and still had a lot of improvement to come.
Coming up
Charlton: Monday, February 16.
Local cups in March are Boort, Birchip, and Charlton.
Welcome Connor
The ever progressive Charlton Harness Racing Club welcomed a new driver to the Charlton Harness Racing Training Centre. His name is Connor Clarke. To give an insight to Connor I asked from some questions last Monday.
• Age: 22 years.
• Parents: Stephen and Belinda. Stephen worked for Graeme Morgan and David Aiken before settling in Ballarat.
• Siblings: Reagan, Leyton and Brodie.
• From: Ballarat.
• Biggest influence in harness racing: His dad and Chris Alford.
• Best horse seen: Leap to Fame.
• Best horse driven: Miss McGonagall.
• Winning drives: 237.
• Started driving career in 2019-20 season.
• Hopes to gain trainer’s license in the near future.
