Cahir gets the chocolates and vows to return

It’s been 25 years since Victorian trainer Nathan Cahir has been to the St Arnaud trots – but after one of the most satisfying wins of his harness racing career, in the Weir’s IGA St Arnaud Pacing Cup on Sunday (Nov 5), he’s vowed to be back in 2024!

Cahir’s consistent pacer Telemachus (Somebeachsomewhere) was sent out at long odds in the north central Victorian feature, despite winning at both of his previous two starts – but a sizzling burn from the gate held the key to the race.

“I really didn’t know that I could lead (from barrier 6) with a short run to the first corner and the speed that was inside me, but basically as soon as they let them go he had a metre or two on the inside horses, so I was committed from there,” Cahir said.

“I’d told a couple of friends at home I didn’t think I could lead, and because of that, it would be pretty hard for him – hopefully they disregarded what I told them!”

But once finding the front, the pair were never headed, holding off the fast-finishing short-priced favorite Captain Pins by 1.7 metres.

“He (Telemachus) is a great front running horse, you can run him out of the gate, and then he basically relaxes and does what you want him to do until another horse comes up. I thought if I could lead it would be awfully hard for Captain Pins to beat me from back in the field,” Cahir said.

“I didn’t think he deserved to be those odds ($36) because his form is outstanding.  He’s won his past two and he beat Operative Line at Ballarat last start and that horse has won twice since then, including once in town,” he said.

“He’s become a really professional racehorse and done the hard yards over the last 12 or 18 months – he deserved to win a nice little race like this.”

The victory was the 11^th for Telemachus, the fourth for this season, netting his trainer, owner and driver more than $60,000 in stakes. The five-year-old gelding is one of three foals out of Our Narissa Franco (Live or Die) and Telemachus is a half-brother to NSW pacers Crazy Shippo (Art Major) (11 wins) and King Tintin (Tintin in America) (seven wins).

For the square gaiters feature, talented young Kiwi reinsman Tristan Larsen, 20, didn’t hesitate to spear to the front in the St Arnaud Sporting Club Trotters Cup—and it proved to be a winning move.

Starting from the wide six alley, Larsen stepped seven-year-old gelding Baxter (Muscle Hill) cleanly from the tapes and when Double Helix on his inside galloped and a few others were scratchy, he virtually led all of the way.

“I thought if I got to the front, he’d be hard to run down. He fought all the way to the line and it was a nice win,” Larsen said.

“At his previous run at Bendigo, he began quickly off the 10metre mark and showed his capabilities by leading all the way.”

Larsen, who was born and bred into the industry with his parents Kirk and Michelle being highly respected trainers in New Zealand, is working for Brent Lilley, of Bolinda, north of Melbourne.

“I absolutely love it over here. I’ve only been here for three months. I’ll keep working away and hopefully pick up more drives as we go,” he said.

One of eight part-owners in Baxter, colorful industry identity Norm Dunbar, was on track, and had nothing but praise for Larsen.

“He’s a very under-rated young driver. He does a good job and I’m extremely happy,” he said.

Dunbar said he’d travelled all the way from the Melbourne suburb of Altona to be at St Arnaud and was quick to agree that it would be “a pretty good trip home.”

Baxter took out the 2023 Cup by a metre from the consistent Berriesandcherries (Donna Castles), who charged home late, with Our Safari Sun (Michael Bellman) a close-up third.

Race favorite and last year’s popular hometown winner Travel Bug ran a creditable fifth. After starting from the 30metre handicap, the trotter worked mid-race and was still in the mix on the home corner.

Driving honors went to Ballarat teenager Declan Murphy with a winning double. He showed nice touch to get home with Pesci (Sunshine Beach) and Jaxon Beach (Somebeachsomewhere).

For complete race results, click here.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink