Young harness enthusiasts Jake Webster and Aaron Bain supplied the quinella in the Woodlands Stud Fillies and Mares final (1800m) at Globe Derby Park on Saturday night.
But the training partnership only owned the winner Ricks Shadow which is trained by Les Harding but prepared the runner-up The Harlem Hammer.
Ricks Shadow ($1.30 fav), driven by Dani Hill, scored by two metres from The Harlem Hammer ($6) with Capture Me ($8.40), 4-1/2 metres away third.
“Greg Sugars recommended Ricks Shadow last year to us,” Aaron Bain said.
“When she first came across she ran quite well without winning but then became sore and needed a break and when she came into work with us she got a bit crook.
“When we tried to get her going she just didn’t recapture her form and we decided to give her to someone else to have a go.
“David and Les Harding were happy to take her on, and from our viewpoint, it was an astute training decision.”
Ricks Shadow has had five starts for the Hardings for four wins and a second with her best win in Saturday night’s Woodlands Stud final.
“She has a turn of speed which is always going to be a help going through the classes,” David Harding said.
“She has kept stepping up to the mark for us and we will keep trying to take her through her classes.”
Coming off a back row draw in the Woodlands final, Hill allowed the mare to go forward and take the lead off Capture Me which had led from gate four.
Once in front Ricks Shadow was rated to perfection with a moderate 31.4 second quarter and 31.0 third quarter allowing her to dash home in a quick 27.6.
