Greg Bennett
Penrith Panthers were the sponsors at an excellent night of racing at the Paceway last Thursday night. The night centered on the Awards presented to the leading Driver and Trainer for the 2010/2011 season at the Paceway. These awards are sponsored by Panthers each year with this year being the eighteenth that Panthers have tendered their support. The Paceway Executive also took advantage of the occasion to present their Horse of The Year and Local Trainer of the year awards. The NSW Owners Association also made a presentation to the leading Owner of winners for the season.
There were no surprises for the titles with Greg Bennett being the leading Driver for the eighth time and Paul Fitzpatrick taking out the Trainers title for the eighth year in succession. Ross Adams continued his dominance of the Local Trainers by following up last season’s win with another one this year. Fran Fitzpatrick was rewarded for her consistency as an owner and part owner of harness horses with a well deserved win in the NSWOA Owner of the Year Award.
Races were named after Management and Players from Penrith Panthers with members of the Executive and Players sashing the winners of each race.
Elsulite after many tries was at last was able to greet the judge in the first event driven confidently by Jim Douglas. The second race was probably one well supported by Panthers players and supporters, the winner being Smokin Luke giving Michael Muscat the first of a driving double.
The third race proved a one act affair for Thumpen NZ having his first start on Australian soil he was never in danger of defeat with driver Greg Bennett having him coast to the Judge well clear of the opposition. The fourth was won just as well by Takim having his first start since August last year and giving Michael Muscat his second victory for the night.
The Bathurst trained Okari Dave started favourite in the fifth and after doing a bit of work early then sitting outside the leader was able to be first to greet the Judge for driver Ashlee Siejka who as a sister to Panther Harry Siejka no doubt had plenty of support. The sixth went to Louth Park trained Blissful Shannon after getting out late from a pocket and giving driver Darren Elder some compensation for making the long trip down the northern Freeway.
The seventh event was a walkover for promising two year old Major Post. Trained by South Coast Trainer Chris Robinson this son of Art Major and the highly credentialed mare Postmark has shown enough in his five starts to indicate that he will make his mark in future seasons. The lucky last certainly belied the name of the winner Got No Luck because it proved to be the complete opposite of his name, after sitting three back on the fence with nowhere to go he was presented with a dream run up the inside one hundred metres from the post when the leaders drifted out allowing driver Michael Towers to push through and win.
