A 15-year-old pacer nicknamed “Sneakers” stole the show during last night’s harness racing meeting at Tabcorp Park Melton.
Veteran gelding Mister Douglas was victorious in the Schweppes Claiming Pace over 1720 metres for trainer-driver Joanne Justice, in what is his 34th win from 291 starts.
Making his 9th appearance at the venue, the son of Albert Albert upstaged Livin It Lovin It by a half-head in a mile rate of 1:57.6.
Justice said she is “absolutely rapt” with the gelding’s win.
“He’s a great horse. He likes the wet and he loves working and racing,” Justice said. “He has been going good, he just needed to find the right race.”
Paying $38.30 on the tote, Mister Douglas settled two-back along the pegs from the pole as Four Grinners led.
Mister Douglas hit the front inside the final 50 metres before staving off Livin It Lovin It.
“He’s got the white socks on his hinds and he’s light on his feet,” Justice said when asked how Mister Douglas got his stable name.
Interestingly, Justice also had an association with Mister Douglas’s mother, which she drove to win the Nyah Necklace in 1991.
Mister Douglas debuted on April 13, 2003, when scoring at Bendigo.
He won several races at Moonee Valley before the home of Victorian metropolitan trotting moved to Melton where Mister Douglas has won eight races.
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the veteran
He broke down after 80 starts and experts told Justice at the time he probably wouldn’t race again.
“But I walked him and swam him,” Justice said, eventually the trainer getting the gelding back on his feet and back on track.
“We’ll just keep working and racing with him until he doesn’t want to anymore.
“I’m sure this is his last season. I am hoping to get to 300 starts.”
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HRV Media