Nagambie trainer Chris Lang’s main trotting focus is in New Zealand this month but on Saturday night at Bendigo he has three gun mares attempting to earn a place in the Lyn McPherson Breed For Speed Trotting “Gold” Series Sprint Final.
Two heats of the Gold and Silver Breed for Speed series’ are being raced at Lords Raceway with the Finals of both to be held next Friday at Tabcorp Park, Melton.
The trotting series is very close to Lang’s heart with the Breed for Speed named after close family friend Lyn McPherson - the wife of prominent standardbred owner and breeder Duncan McPherson – who sadly succumbed to ovarian cancer last year.
It is the second running of Sprint Series for trotting mares promoted by Harness Racing Victoria and Nagambie’s Aldebaran Park Stud. In memory of Lyn the event is proudly supporting the Women’s Cancer Foundation.
“Harness Racing Victoria approached me and suggested that the 'Breed for Speed' Series Final be named in honour of Lyn,” McPherson said.
“I was overwhelmed by their thoughts and in addition to this Harness Racing Victoria, in particular Chief Executive Officer John Anderson, determined that the series and its concept be in support of the Women’s Cancer Foundation - Ovarian Cancer Institute,” Duncan McPherson said.
“With this in mind, and noting that a large portion of industry participants are women, the thought of supporting the Women’s Cancer Foundation allows all industry and allied participants to help create awareness of this disease and financially assist the Ovarian Cancer Institute in their research efforts.”
At Lords Raceway, racegoers are asked to support the fundraising by joining in the festivities, including the inaugural Bouncy Pony Stakes featuring some of Victoria’s top drivers competing for the Women’s Cancer charity.
The BHRC will donate $100 to the charity in the 'Bouncy Pony Race' winner’s name. Likely starters riding the inflatable horses imported from North America include Inter Dominion contenders Lisa Miles and Chris Alford as well as Bendigo stars Daryl Douglas and Leigh Sutton.
The Bouncy Pony Stakes is scheduled to take place after the third race (approximately 7:40pm).
The Breed For Speed trotting heats have attracted quality fields in both the $7000 Gold and Silver divisions with the mares competing for a place the $20,000 Gold Breed for Speed Final and $8000 Silver Breed for Speed Final at Tabcorp Park Melton on March 18.
In addition to the stakes on offer Saturday night, the Bendigo Harness Racing Club has two $500 bonuses available for any mare that can better a 2:00 mile rate in the Silver T0 – T3 Final and 1:57 mile rate in the T4 or Better Final.
Fittingly Duncan McPherson is represented in the Gold Series Breed for Speed heat by Aldebaran Maori, which is going for its fifth victory from eight starts this season for trainer Chris Lang.
Aldebaran Maori is one of three horse trained by Lang in the race. Greg Sugars will partner Aldebaran Maori with Chris Lang Jr steering Miss Warbucks and Ben Gledhill piloting Happy Maori, the two other Lang stable representatives.
In the Silver Series heat, Carisbrook trainer Brett Shipway has a strong representation with three starters. Shipway has the choice of partnering Earls Gold or Ships Choice with Mark Hayes partnering their stablemate Kan Yu.
