A cool westerly breeze and the threat of some afternoon showers failed to dampen the enthusiasm of a small but dedicated band of harness racing followers last Friday afternoon at the Young Raceway.
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With free admission, the Lions Club barbecue and the promise of some close finishes, those in attendance did enjoy another great afternoon of entertainment.
Local trainer Peter Schiller handed the driving duties to Jimmy Brown in race one and he did not let the side down with another masterful front running drive behind the five-year-old gelding Four Starzzz Chef ($11) who defeated the more fancied Caesars Falcon and another local pacer in Our Sams Home for Blake Micallef.
Owners travelled from as far away as Bathurst and Wagga to witness odds on favourite Beast Mode ($1.55) take out race two in convincing style.
The two year old jumped straight to the front and was never headed in posting his first win from only eight starts, defeating So Am I and Substitooth by four-and-a-quarter metres in a mile rating of 2:03.1 for the 1720 metre event.
Goulburn trainer Brad Hewitt entrusted the driving duties to Mat Rue in race three with another short priced favourite, Rizado ($1.40) again was a front runner throughout and accounted for Major Huss and the fast finishing Negative Nancy.
Race favourites continued to perform with Overpowering ($2.80) for Nathan Hurst taking out race four in convincing style over Shes Courageous and Dinosaurus Rex in a slick 1:59.0 mile rating.
Bathurst trained gelding Kanena Provlima ($4.20) handed in probably the toughest run of the day when he sat outside the leader throughout to defeat odds on favourite Blaster Ranger ($1.80) and early leader Jesszz Reflection ($34) in good style.
Local bricklayer Daniel Woods laid the foundation for a popular win when he gave training and driving duties to master chef Todd Day in race six with his six-year-old gelding Ideal Billy ($21) who led throughout in very ordinary weather conditions to defeat Spooky Dreams and Bold Art.
Recording his third win for his joint owners, Daniel and Nadine Woods, the American Ideal pacer has certainly provided many hours of enjoyment for all concerned.
A heavy downpour prior to race seven did not deter race goers and they were rewarded with another great racing spectacle with Cobbity Chic ($7) claiming the major end of the prize, this time for Bathurst trainer Bernie Hewitt and his son Douglass.
Coming from second at the bell, the Always A Virgin four-year-old mare proved too strong for If Hes Lucky ($51) and favourite Dot Ay You ($2.10) in a race that had a creditable wet weather mile rating of 2:03.1.
Favourites continued to shine, but not the weather, when Brads Luck ($1.40) sent punters home in a happy mood with the combination of Bernie and Douglass Hewitt once again coming to the fore in the final race of the afternoon.
Brads Luck recorded the biggest winning margin of the day in an eight metre advantage over his rivals.
Racing returns to Young Paceway on Tuesday night.
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