Harness Racing NSW had decided earlier in the day that the expected heat wave would be a disadvantage to all concerned and in their wisdom reset the starting times to a more desirable program of racing.
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The opening event last Tuesday night was put back half-an-hour, as was all other races, a move that proved to be beneficial to trainers and drivers.
Local trainer Ian Butt set the ball rolling in the opening event with a dashing display behind Typhoon Tilly ($8.50) to come from sixth at the bell to join in the fray at the 400 metre marker and finish strongly over the concluding stages to defeat Golovkin and the more fancied Hey Suzie ($2.70) in a close finish.
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The winner was immediately put on the market by her owner with an impressive strike rate of four wins from sixteen starts. The second race of the night was again taken out by another runner not wanted in the early betting market. Last start Echuca winner About The Attitude ($9.50) driven by Melissa Hawke, made a move when fourth at the bell to come home in 28.8 and 28.2 and an impressive 1:56.4 mile rating.
Favourite backers started to feel a little disgruntled at this stage but luckily Bathurst trainer and solid Young club supporter Peter Bullock came to the rescue when Shannonstheman ($2.25), driven a copy book race by Amy Rees, led throughout to defeat the locally trained Another Buddy and My Cullinan in race three.
Popular local and an ambassador for indigenous drivers, Jimmy Brown continued his incredible run of success with a masterful drive behind the Peter Schiller trained Regal Ashes ($16.00) in race four. Race five was another great race with Rocketer ($5.50) getting the better of the field early after the start and was at that point never headed.
The Bathurst combination of Gemma and Mat Rue produced a handy Art Major gelding in Chris Be Quick ($4.40) in race six. Coming off a second line draw and still sitting sixth at the bell, it was all systems go from that point to overcome a determined Tulhurst Terror and Crazy In Love. Jimmy Brown was presented with an arm chair drive in race seven, the Troy Fletcher trained Donna Georgina ($2.60) leading throughout to record an effortless 17 and-a-half meter win over Pop The Porsh and Thebigbadwolf and a mile rating of 1:57.8.
Driving honours would move to the national capital in race eight when Scott Osmond and David Reichstein combined with Ess Jay Pee ($4.40) to post a good win over Wandary Muscat ($2.90) favourite and the very much improved resuming mare Uroc Baby driven by Jimmy Brown.
Gemma and Mat Rue made it a winning double on the night in the final race when Ziggy Rocks ($2.30) took full advantage of the smaller field to set the pace, lead at the bell and record a 9 metre win over Negative Nancy and favourite Rocknroll Da Gamma.
