Ararat trots action.
A timely shower at Ararat tonight cooled temperatures somewhat, but on the track the action was non-stop.
Dramas aplenty for the stewards, kicking off early with Race 1 seeing six of the eight runners either breaking stride and losing ground or copping bad checks. Kellie Colony took the prize in that event for reinsman Matthew Craven and trainer Stuart Cocks.
The feature race of the night would come a few hours later with the running of the Pegasus Spur @ Woodlands Tontine Trotters Series first heat.
Burrumbeet horseman David Magri took it out with his honest five-year-old gelding Columbias Deejay overcoming a 30-metre handicap to score in the 2570m standing start race.
Columbias Deejay rated 2:07.1, benefiting from a slick early pace set up by Glorious Finale and long odds-on favourite Shared Interest.
Shared Interest had to work hard to find the lead with Glorious Finale not relenting easily, but reinsman Nathan Jack was able to eventually guide the four-year-old favourite to the pegs.
Trainer/driver John Meade quickly angled back off the pegs and his $41 shot eyeballed the favourite until Glrorious Finale was a spent force late in the race. He finished 111.4m behind winner at the end in last place.
Shared Interest was able to remain up the front for several hundred metres more than his mid-race challenger, but Columbias Deejay had enjoyed the better run and swooped to victory, paying $9.10 on a tough night for favourite punters – with no favourites winning.
Columbias Deejay was presented with an inscribed rug in front of the crowd after the race.
Ararat’s next meeting is its annual Cup Night program on March 26.
“We had a good night tonight and we are looking forward to our cup meeting later this month,” said Ararat secretary/manager Michele Berry.
Media enquiries:
CODY WINNELL
COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA MANAGER
HARNESS RACING VICTORIA
PO BOX 184, MOONEE PONDS, VIC 3039
400 EPSOM ROAD, FLEMINGTON, VIC 3031
t: 03 8378 0288 | f: 03 9214 0699 | e: cwinnell@hrv.org.au
www.hrv.org.au
