Sad Day For Charlton Trots
(By Peter Hibberd)
It was a subdued day at the Charlton trots meeting last Monday.
The club and the harness racing community has lost one of its best. Joey Thompson’s achievements on and off the track were amazing, some of those being horse breaker, winning owner and trainer of a derby winner, clerk of the course and a visionary who made things happen.
The service will be held today at the Charlton track, commencing at 1 p.m..
Winners at Charlton
One of our best drivers Chris Alford had a double. Both of his wins were on horses which were able to lead and record victories. An interesting winner on the day was a 3-year-old filly, trained by John Tormey, called Wind Storm. With the weather on Monday, it was the omen bet. Having its first race start, it was able to lead and won by an impressive 17 metres.
Breeding of this filly is by Southwind Frank out of Prettylilangeleyes. The mare won 15 races with 46 placings and has had four foals to race with three of them winners.
Charlton AGM
At the recent AGM, Lori Mills has replaced Troy Heenan as secretary. Lori is a local being the daughter of Brendan and Marie Byrne. She is married to Darren and has 3 children. Darren is a self-employed painter and handyman. In her previous employment, Lori was the HR officer for the Buloke Shire.
Results
Race one: A very good front running drive by Tayla French enabled Merrywood Paul to record a very close win. With even early sectionals, it ran its last half in a quick 56.5. The photo finish failed to operate properly, causing a delay before the official placings were confirmed.
Race two: A two-year pacer by the name of The Golden Hook, with run placings in its last five starts, finally had a victory. Driven by Nathan Jack started at a very short-priced favourite. A horse by the name of Sweet Marion trained by John Tormey had a very good run.
Race three: It is amazing how some horses improve with maturity; such is the case with Wicked Mitzi, trained by Terry and Jacinta Gange. Last year won one race with 5 placings; this year, four wins and seven placings, but its last two wins have been brilliant. At Charlton, it sat second last in a fast run race, but overpowered its rivals in the last 800 metres. It ran a mile rate of 1.54.2 which is one of the best times at Charlton.
Race four: Trainer Brent Lilley is probably one of the best trainers of trotters in
Victoria. One of those is a three-year-old called Kyvalley Jetstream, driven by Chris Alford. Starting at a very short quote, it was able to lead but had to fight hard over 100 metres to score a narrow win.
Race five: Driver Chris Alford made it a double for the day when he drove Maas Betting Again for his wife and trainer, Alison Alford. It was able to lead all the way to record a narrow win.
Race six: Wind Storm.
Race seven: At the age of nearly 12 years old, most (if not all) racehorses have
retired. Not the Democrat. Having his 248th start, he won again, making it his 28th win and 45 placings. As with all aged horses, they are examined before and after each race. Trainer Barry Ainsworth said he still loves it.
Vale “Joey” Thompson
In everybody’s life there is someone who passes too early. Such was Joey Thompson. What Joey has done for his community and harness racing would take a long time to describe.
I have known Joey for many years, but it was his time as president of the Charlton Harness Club that regular phone calls and visits to his “Bushy Lodge Stables”
convinced me that he was a visionary.
The success of the Harness Racing Training Centre has made the executive at H. R.V. take a good look at what has been achieved.
The last time we spoke, Joey’s visions were to promote the Calder Highway on the AFL long weekend with the running of the Calder Pacing Cup at Charlton and the King of the Mountain at Wycheproof. Again looking after the local communities.
He said he had done some groundwork.
Goodbye “Scoop”.
