Bits and Pieces by Terry Gange

Ashwood sets sights on Mildura Cup

Mildura, in the far north-west corner of Victoria, has been a happy hunting ground for Bendigo harness racing horseman Alex (Alby) Ashwood for a good few years now.

But come tomorrow night (April 22), Ashwood will have his eyes on the biggest prize yet—the $60,000 G3 Tasco Petroleum Mildura Pacing Cup Final.

And the 28-year-old certainly has a number of positives going for him: Firstly it would be fair to say, he knows the smaller track like the back of his hand and consequently his strike-rate on the 805-metre circuit is nothing short of phenomenal.

Then of course you need to have the horsepower and tough mare Tay Tay (Rock N Roll Heaven) sits comfortably in that department. And her record at the track speaks for itself with five wins from six starts.

The pacer cruised to the line nicely in winning the first qualifying heat three nights ago—her 17th victory from 42 race appearances.

The obvious fly in the ointment is the Emma Stewart-trained Can’t Top This (Rock N Roll Heaven) who couldn’t have been more impressive in taking out the second Pacing Cup heat.

The leadup form for Cant Top This was impressive – successfully targeting country cups at Charlton and Ararat—prior to heading to the Mildura carnival.

Kerryn Manning has again been entrusted and an awkward inside back row draw shouldn’t prove too much of an ordeal for the one-time world champion.

The front row has speed to burn and an intriguing battle for the top looms.

Serg Blanco was a little fractious before the start in its heat and an inside draw just might not help. Kowalski Analysis has some toe, but Curly James could surprise as he led all the way in the Cobram Cup in January.

The 2023 edition of the Pacing Cup is race eight on the 10-race program, timed to start at 8.30 pm.

 Junior race series carries important message

When Blake “Buzz” Micallef took out the Nic Dewar young drivers’ series in the NSW Riverina this week, the underlying message couldn’t have been more poignant.

The series is in memory of Dewar who died tragically in a car accident in 2018 and saw competitive driving in two races at each of the Shepparton and Young meetings between up and coming young NSW and Victorian drivers.

Dewar was showing incredible promise on the track, but aged just 18, died in a crash on his way home to Young after having driven a placegetter at Shepparton.

Micallef and Dewar were close mates growing up and Micallef completed the series wearing driving pants carrying Nic’s name.

He described it as a special win.  But equally importantly, it brought home the message to young drivers around the country of the very real occupational hazards they face.

The risks on the track well recognised, but are equalled by deadline pressures to reach meetings, late nights, early mornings and long journeys on country roads.

Club secretary at Young, Scott Adams, said the NSW youngsters were carpooled down to drive at Shepparton, while the Victorian drivers travelled up to Young in a mini bus together so no one was driving alone late at night.

“We are hoping through this series to encourage young participants not to push themselves when they’re fatigued and not be driving on the roads when they shouldn’t.”

Victoria, with Cory O’Donoghue and Grace Bilney prominent, won the overall points tally to again take home the shield.

In a special tribute, Nic’s family and friends were on course at Young (Apr 18) and reiterated the message of the series—to acknowledge the importance of being safe on the roads, especially at night, to take a mate on the trip for company and to share the driving.

Ouch! “Arty” draws wide

That wasn’t what the huge contingent of the “Arty Party” fan club was hoping for at all.

The full field for the $US500,000 MGM Borgata Pacing Series final at Yonkers next Tuesday (Aust time) has been released and the millionaire champion pacer from Down Under – Lochinvar Art (Modern Art)- has drawn wide in the number seven alley.

Wide barrier draws are not conducive on half mile tracks, but as they say, you have got to be in it to win it.

Trainer Shane Tritton will have the champ primed and for super-competitive driver Lauren Tritton, the word defeat isn’t in her vocabulary.

And enthusiastic owners Kevin and Leonie Gordon have always said that come rain, hail or shine, they’d be in New York to cheer on Arty in the final.

Gordon has his fingers crossed, but he accepts that Arty and Lauren will most likely have to go back when the starter says go.

“On face value he may have looked a bit disappointing when third last start. But the horse still clocked 1.51-3 and did miss a lot of work through being sick and was underdone,” Gordon posted.

“He will be close to right for the big final.”

The last two winners of the Borgata in This Is The Plan and Funatthebeach have continued on with their super form and line up once again.

Another former Aussie in Dougs Babe (Western Terror) will compete in the other feature on the program—the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series Final, of $US 328,000.   Dougs Babe, now in the Nifty Norman barn, was trained back in Oz by respected horseman Geoff Webster.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink