A large crowd was treated to nine exciting events with close finishes and fast times the order of the day.

With the fastest winning mile rate being the catalyst for taking home an Elite racing sulky in the two feature races, trainers made sure that a time better than 2:02min could be enough to secure the prize.

In the first division of the Bob Hardy Memorial, Bathurst trainer Michael Munro set a solid pace with his lightly raced three-year-old Mortal Enemy.

Leading at the bell the son of Sealed N Delivered had posted a quick 29.4sec first quarter and maintained the momentum in recording a winning mile rate of 2:01.9min in defeating the $1.50 favourite Poster Girl by a head with Holy Camp Girl 16 meters away in third place.

The time appeared to be sufficient to claim the valuable trophy but that soon was to be just a memory as the second heat was to take place and another Bathurst trainer was to step up to the plate and lay claim to the silver gig.

Long time supporter of racing at Young, Ian Mutton presented his three year old gelding Captain Brook in top condition to lead throughout and secure the coveted prize.

Sent out a short priced favourite, ($1.30) the Famous Forever pacer made it win number six from 21 starts, in doing so stopping the clock at 2:38min, giving him a trophy winning mile rate of 2:01.1min.

The placegetters Navarda Ace and Machbino were responsible for good runs with Navarda Ace coming from eighth at the bell, the winner running a last half in 60.3 secs.

The second feature of the day was the three divisions of the LW and EM Hunter pace and here the first division was taken out by the Jackson Painting trained and driven Saint Esprit who convincingly defeated Nine Of Hearts and the $2.70 favourite Calling Major Tom. The winning margin was six and a half meters with a smart 2:02.7min mile rate recorded.

The second quarter of 32.9 may have just cost him the trophy as all other divisions recorded faster sectionals for that quarter over the same distance.

Full details in Wednesday, February 1, edition.