Grass track harness racing in Queensland Photo by David Aldred
Just over three years ago at the age of 89, Ron Hutchinson purchased his first racehorse, the then seven-year-old New Zealander, Barney Maguire which took 47 attempts to win its first race. On Sunday Ron, now 92 hopes to cheer home his veteran pacer to victory, a win that would see the rising 11-year-old maintain a perfect record on the Beaudesert turf track.
Sunday is the Beaudesert Hibernian Club charity race day and it features a 10 race card, three harness races and seven thoroughbred races on the turf. The trots will be over a mile (1609m) starting in the home straight with the horses travelling a full circuit of the picturesque track. “The races are a real crowd pleaser,” deputy chairman of harness stewards Larry Wilson said. “Last year everyone loved seeing the trots here and I just hope the locals turn up early to watch so they don’t miss the harness racing action. The 10 race TAB card starts at 10.20am with the three harness races run before the fourth race, the first thoroughbred race at 11.55am. All races will be telecast on Sky Racing with the harness races on Sky 2, the first four gallops on Sky 1 and the last three gallops on Sky 2.
Barney Maguire will start from gate three in the mobile start, race two, the Hygain Feeds Pace. Ron’s son Richard, a long time harness racing participant and breeding authority, is the trainer of Barney Maguire and said the pacer, the only horse he now trains at his Tamborine property, has really made a difference to his father’s life. “Dad has not been well lately but this horse is a real tonic for him,” Richard said. “He just just loves to watch him race and replays the races over (on the TV). “Hopefully we can both be at the track and see him win again on Sunday.”
Barney Maguire may have the oldest owner in the race but he will be ably supported by one of the youngest drivers in the race, talented young gun Brittany Graham. Brittany is counting the days until she travels to the US for a month driving experience overseas, a prize she won for her high achievements in Queensland last year. With the knowledge of Barney Maguire’s grass track win, Brittany will sure to have the In The Pocket pacer in the firing line from go to whoa. “He is not a horse that you can bottle up, in fact if he cops to much shoving he will turn it up,” Richard said. “At Albion Park on Tuesday he copped a check and that was it but his previous form this month, a second and fourth placing at Redcliffe suggests that he is racing good enough to keep his perfect grass track record intact.
The only other horse on the program with a Beaudesert win beside its name is Major Lefty which will start off the second row in the third race, The Ubet For the Thrill of It Pace (1609m). Major Lefty trained by Cristina Monte has been out of form the past few months but the Art Major seven-year-old gelding is more than capable of turning the form around on the grass. Charlie Cini who was in the cart for last year’s grass track win will again take the reins. Steamline Boy trained by the driver Steven Doherty looks the one to beat in this race, starting from the pole mark position. The eight-year-old Artesian gelding has won two of his past three starts with both wins at Redcliffe. Last year he showed a liking for the turf, finishing third on the Beaudesert track. The first of the three TAB harness races on the program starts at 10.20am with coverage of all three races on Sky Racing 2. Concession driver Trent Moffat teams up with Jimboomba local Gary Gerrard in this race to drive 4yo mare Latin For Lovable, a Redcliffe winner last month