David Gilbert
WHEN a trainer only has one horse in work, to that a galloper can win a race or two each year is somewhat of a god-send.
That is the scenario for Millicent trainer Krystal Trembath who can rely on the veteran performer Brobak keeping her bank account ticking over.
Since arriving at her stable from New South Wales back in the spring of 2017, Brobak has had a win or two to his credit every year since and, following his first up win at Naracoorte last Monday, has now won six races for Trembath.
Some horses have a habit of winning at a certain time of the year and Brobak, who is raced by Trembath and her partner Dom Montuori, is a classic example.
Now a nine year old, Brobak has brought Christmas joy to the Trembath stable in recent years with three wins in the week between Christmas and New Year.
Last Sunday, Brobak resumed from a six month spell and he would have been a good thing beaten had he not won the 1100 metre BM 58 handicap.
“He’s a good old boy and I work him down the beach at Southend and occasionally at the Millicent racecourse,” Trembath told The Border Watch.
Brobak was bolting with nowhere to go on the home turn before Hong Kong born apprentice Ellis Wong found some space through a needle eye opening at the 200 metre mark to ensure a narrow victory.
For Wong, who does not speak great English, it was his second ride on Brobak after finishing second on him earlier this year.
“I’ve been watching him ride and he’s not scared, that’s for sure,” Trembath added.
“He (Brobak) is getting old but I’d like to have a go at a suitable race in Adelaide before he retires.”
With a winning double on the program (Last Dream and Our Ellie Rose, both ridden by Kate Walters), the Mount Gambier stable of Bob and Kane Post now find themselves in second spot on the trainer’s premiership.
Mount Gambier trainer Lee Creek supplied the opening winner when Atomic Wizard led all the way, and he has a two win buffer at the top of the premiership ladder.
Meanwhile, there were some chuffed owners in the Millicent and Penola area last Sunday when the first starter Aitch Two Oh ($3.20 fav.), trained by David and Chantelle Jolly,, breezed home to score by more than four lengths at Morphettville.
On the same program, local apprentice Jacob Opperman combined with Strathalbyn trainer Kym Healy to win the 1200 metre maiden plate when Starlite Valley raced wide throughout but still proved far too strong for her rivals.
IMPROVING ALL THE TIME
THE good run for local harness trainer Steve Fennell continued with a winner at Globe Derby Park last Friday afternoon.
With no trots last Saturday (Christmas Day), the usual Globe Derby Park Saturday night fixture was moved forward by more than 24 hours.
His much improved pacer Catch The Shark won his first city race to make it three wins from his past five starts with a tough win in the two year old pace.
From barrier five, Catch The Shark ($1.80 fav.) had to do plenty of work outside the leader before drawing clear to win by four metres with Samantha Pascoe in the sulky.
At Ararat last week, young trainer Zac Pearson found himself in the winner’s stall again after Miradero ($3.40) made it a hat trick of wins in the NR 51-54 pace.
INLAND WAS THE PLACE TO BE
A gale force south easterly wind and cool, overcast conditions earlier this week meant the ideal place for holiday makers was an inland destination.
Nhill in western Victoria was one such place last Sunday for that club’;s annual race meeting as clear skies and a light breeze made it perfect for relaxing outdoors.
The locals responded accordingly with a very good crowd, much bigger than that which attended two years ago which was the last time a crowd was allowed to go to Nhill before COVID entered our world.
In a very promising sign for club officials, the majority of the Boxing Day crowd were the younger generation who were home for Christmas and in a carefree mood.
The much travelled Bob and Kane Post stable continued their recent run of success by being the only South Australian stable to win at Nhill.
That was with the seven year old gelding Unlimited Ability ($2.50), an all the way winner of the 1150 metre BM 58 handicap.
Stable jockey Kate Walters had the mount, and Unlimited Ability showed plenty of tenacity to thwart the challengers in the final 300 metres.
Up and coming Stawell trainer Andrew Bobbin took the honours with a winning treble on the seven race card, including back to back success in the Nhill cup with Dubai Dominion.
Special mention is made of Jason Gordon who has done the on course announcer duties at Nhill for many years.
Gordon, who is also president of the Kaniva Leeor football club and is never stuck for a word, volunteers his services to the Nhill club and does an excellent job.
He looked after the winning owners and kept patrons up to date with the various activities taking place during the afternoon.
Praise also to the four bookmakers at Nhill who, last Sunday, often gave better prices on the local races than those offered by fixed odds and the tote.
REPRIEVE FOR LOCAL LADS
FOR many years, the Mount Gambier harness racing club employed probably the two youngest judges/timekeepers/computerised photo finish operators in Australia.
Local lads Luke Manser and Jake Connell were only teenagers when they started working in the judge’s box earlier this century.
“I was 15 years old when I started out as the timekeeper at the trots when Mike Robinson was the judge at the time,” Manser said.
“Then, when Mike decided to give it away, I was promoted to judge and I got Jake Connell, who is younger than me, to come on board as timekeeper.”
That was around 2008, and the youngsters did the job with diligence and keenness of operators well beyond their years for around a decade and, along with their friendly disposition, won plenty of praise.
A few years ago, they were suddenly replaced following some issues with Harness Racing SA.
Their replacements, in my opinion, were not in the same class as Manser and Connell.
The good news is that Manser and Connell have had a reprieve and their smiling faces and happy-go-lucky attitude are again part of local harness racing in the judges box this season.
FREEBIES AT THE TROTS
HOLIDAY makers with a free afternoon may like to take advantage of a rare afternoon harness racing meeting here at the Greenwald Paceway.
It is the only day meeting for the season and it will be held here next Monday (the public holiday), however the starting times and race fields were not released before this edition went to print.
There will be incentives for the younger ones to attend with (COVID permitting) a treasure hunt and free icy poles.
