Words can’t adequately describe the emotion surrounding the win of Rap Artist in the Globe Derby Paceway Restaurant Pace (1800m) at Globe Derby Park on Saturday night.
Rap Artist is part-owned-trained and driven by Mark Billinger who tragically lost his ‘best mate’, dad Val, just over a week before the race.
Val Billinger was a longtime harness racing trainer, and although in retirement in recent years, was a virtual training partner with Mark and the pair were inseparable when Rap Artist was either being worked or taken to the races.
Saturday night was the first race for the star three-year-old since Val’s passing and despite friends and family helping with the gearing up of the gelding, Val’s absence was on everyone’s mind.
The race was also one where all drivers wore black armbands to recognize Val’s passing.
Like a true professional, on the racetrack, Mark did his job.
He worked Rap Artist ($1.30 fav) to the front from gate four and set comfortable quarters of 31.2 and 31.0 before stepping up the tempo coming home in 27.8 and 29.0 for an easy 5-1/2 metre win from Thelonghaul ($43.20) with Billy Mack ($38.70) two metres away third.
In a sign of emotion, Billinger simply had his whip pointed to the sky passing the post to salute his dad.
Back in the stables when it came time to unharness Rap Artist, Billinger, despite the assistance of family and friends, was visibly upset for a short time before regaining composure.
Later, Billinger said he was delighted with the win of the three-year-old.
“His main aim this preparation has been the Southern Cross series and I thought tonight was a perfect run to lead into the semi-finals,” Billinger said.
