Strathlachlan Andy, Matthew Harding, Geoff Harding and sponsor Matt Pryde from Prydes Easifeeds.
A return trip to the Tamworth Paceway is one that Matthew Harding will treasure for a while to come after taking out the $25,000 Prydes Easifeed Golden Guitar Final with Strathlachlan Andy on Friday night. Harding, who grew up around Tamworth before the family moved to Bobs Farm near Anna Bay, had many a trials drive on the Paceway before gaining his licence.
“It’s good to win a race anywhere but to come back here (Tamworth), to win the biggest race of the year for the Club, it is a big thrill” said Matthew Harding.
Matthew Harding, who races the Blissfull Hall-Strathlachlan Gem gelding, leaves the training to his father Geoff, who himself had a winning drive in the Golden Guitar Final back in January 2007 when he piloted Lets Ride The Tide to victory.
“I have driven a winner before but this is probably just a bit better” said Geoff Harding
“I told Matthew to go out and show me how it is done” added the proud father with a smile on his face.
“It’s the pinnacle” added Geoff Harding at the post race presentation “it is a family affair”
It may have been a pinnacle moment for the family but the enthusiastic crowd on hand also enjoyed witnessing another track record being broken with the win of Strathlachlan Andy, when he clocked 1.58.1 for 1980 metres, breaking the track record set by last year’s winner Goldplay (1.58.3).
“He (Strathlachlan Andy) really did well during the week and just got a bit better. The Golden Guitar sort of just came into the plan and we thought we would have a look and see how we go” said Geoff Harding.
With a tough barrier draw of 11, Matthew Harding played it cool at the tail of the field before sending Strathlachlan Andy three wide just before the bell sounded, and swept past the field, with an awesome sprint in the back straight to come away for a 4 metre win over Bathurst pacer Marquez (Ashlee Siejka) and Tangles (Nathan Hurst) 10.5 metres away third.
“We thought he was the best horse in the race and the 25 lead time was good” said Matthew Harding. “When they burned hard early I knew he would be over the top of them”
Race favourite Goldplay (Bart Cockburn) who was looking to be the first to make it back to back titles after the win in 2014 finished seventh.
The Tritton-Panella team enjoyed their run of success at the Carnival when Glenisla NZ (Lauren Panella) won the Nevele R Stud Star Maker Three Year Old Final, a follow on from winning the heat conducted last Sunday.
“She is going to be a tough filly when she learns what to do” said Panella “I wasn’t quite sure if I had won but she drew the barrier from the back line in her last two starts and I’m really proud of her”
Glenisla commenced from the nine barrier in the 1980 metre event and was having win number four from 14 starts and four placings.
Make Mine Grange (Josh Willick) led the field as the bell sounded whilst Glenisla raced out in the breeze with Glenisla holding on for a short half head win over a fast finishing Soynwasabi (Matt Neilson) and Make Mine Grange 1.2 metres away third.
“The track is in great condition and it has been a great night” said Panella.
The formidable partnership had three wins on the final night of the Carnival with Modern Chic taking out the Wardle Osborne Accounts Pace in 1.59.8 for 1980 metres and Yayas Hotspot obliterating his opposition with a 42 metre win in the Garrards Horse and Hound Tamworth City Cup.
The Jeremes Jet-Star Of Heaven 4yo clocked 1.57.2 for 2360 metres, smashing the track record set by Enjays Cam (1.59.3) back in 2010.
“We knew the Cup would be a nice race for him” said Tritton “he probably needed that run as he has got some big race ahead of him. He is a good horse and has run some massive races and we expected to have a win today”
“He loves the smaller tracks, but we will head for the Chariots and then probably come back and do a bit of a Carnival run” added Tritton.
Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 31 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by an industry-appointed Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
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