With the dust now settled on the 2006 Bathurst Gold Crown Carnival, we must congratulate the connections of the Final winners.
Well done to Mick and Freda Lombardo for their win with Lombo Pocket Watch (Greg Bennett) in the $100,000 Group One Bathurst RSL Club Bathurst Gold Crown.
It was a ‘Lombardo’ quinella with Lombo Mandingo finishing a game second and it was Mick’s first ‘crown’ after winning three Gold Tiaras. Both smart youngsters were trained to the minute by leading state trainer Paul Fitzpatrick.
Congratulations to Ross Torre and his family who were elated with the win of Amongst Royalty (Chris Alford) in the $100,000 Group One Bathurst RSL Club Bathurst Gold Tiara for the fillies. It was a Jayne Davies quinella with Fususi, driven by Greg Bennett for owner David Sheppard finishing a good second.
It was the Bernie and Dianne Kelly and Bruce Harpley show in both the Bathurst Panthers 3YO Finals. McRaes Mate won the $35,000 Group Three Gold Chalice, while Lady Waratah (pictured) won the $35,000 Gold Bracelet Final.
The 2006 carnival was a great success with a massive 66 races conducted over the six race meetings and $659,350 in prize money distributed to owners.
Well done and a special thanks to all the owners, trainers, drivers and patrons that supported a wonderful carnival.
The Final night crowd of just on 3,000 was great for the industry and highlights that harness racing is alive and well in the country area.
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Local trainer Steve Turnbull had a magic Gold Crown carnival with ten winners. He unearthed another smart performer in his stable with Fierce Allegiance winning the heat and Final of the $7,000 Central Commercial Printers Sprint.
Fierce Allegiance equaled the track record of 1:57.5 mile rate for the 1730-metres in the Final, a record he now co-owns with Dubbo star Karloo Mick. Raced by Ron Cavickis, the proprietor of Walla Motors, Fierce Allegiance will be a force when he gets to Harold Park.
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