Emotions flow at country Cup

Central Victoria’s McNaulty family has had victories in bigger races than the Wedderburn Trotters Cup – but yesterday’s success in what is one of their “home-town” features was certainly one of their more emotional.

Jason McNaulty made it back-to-back Wedderburn Trotters’ Cups with a win by Chissy (Danny Bouchea – Cheque Again (Wagon Apollo), icing the cake in the $14,500 feature with a quinella with stablemate and defending champ Travel Bug.

McNaulty, based at Kooreh, between Wedderburn and St Arnaud, owns Chissy in partnership with his father Noel and brother Shaun, and the horse was named in honor of a relative of the family, the late Alan (Chissy) Chisholm.

Alan was a significant influence on the McNaulty’s involvement in harness racing, and a key figure in the sport at both St Arnaud and Wedderburn.

But adding to the emotional significance of yesterday’s race, ace young reinsman Ryan Sanderson carried the black and white colors of another mentor in the McNaulty’s journey, family friend Frank Evans, whose funeral was held last week.

“Jason and Dad were just getting going into harness racing and Frank was one of the people that really kept them in it. He told them they could come and fast work on his track – if he hadn’t made that offer then it’s possible we may not have stayed in the sport,” Shaun McNaulty said after the win.

“This was a pretty special victory for all of the family, and I’m sure everyone would have liked seeing Frank’s colors go around today,” he said.

“We asked Harness Racing Victoria if we could have permission to use the colors and they were happy for us to, so it was just great to get this win. It means a lot to us and to Frank’s family.”

Frank Evans was a highly-respected horseman, best known for his training and driving deeds with square-gaiter Lunar Lass, in the 1980s. He also won the 1995 Kilmore Pacing Cup with Southern Salute, driven by his grandson Fabian Bigmore. Evans trained more than 140 winners, with a particular love for the square gaiter, with Opulence (a winner of the 2003 St Arnaud Cup) and Rockhard, winner of the 2002 NSW Trotters Derby. Evans still held his trainer’s ticket when he passed away recently at 91 years of age, with family connections remaining in the sport including the Bigmore and Youngson families.

The win was Chissy’s 11th career victory, and took the seven year old’s earnings past $83,000.

Although it had none of the serendipity of the Trotters Cup, the Wedderburn Pacing Cup was taken out by Shepparton-based trainer Russell Jack, with Puntarno Stride (Bettors Delight – San Rafaella (Western Ideal), raced by Australia’s leading owner Emilio Rosati and his wife Mary.

Capable young reinsman Bailey McDonough shot the pacer to the front and was able to dictate terms, with comfortable early sections before pinging home in 28.4 sec and 29, for a mile rate of 2:01.1, two metres clear of Brallos Pass, with Zadaka a half head away third.

McDonough, who a fortnight ago joined the David Aiken team, was full of praise for Puntarno Stride, now a winner of seven races, with 19 placings.

By Terry Gange for Harnesslink