Successful Bridgetown 2024 season wraps up

Bridgetown celebrated their big one for the harness racing season, the Bridgetown Cup as well as the wrap up of their meetings, with another big crowd on course on Sunday, March 24.

Aiden De Campo walked away with yet another cup glory with Magnus Victor too good in the feature, with $1.70 fighting it out to the line to win by a head after toughing it out in the breeze over the 2597m journey.

“I was confident in the horse’s ability, but 2500m first up was a worry, but he managed to get the job done and should improve from it.” De Campo said

After finishing eighth in the 3YO Westbred Country Derby at Pinjarra back in November 2023, Magnus Victor head to the paddock after seven wins for the season.

The four-year-old son of Sweet Lou USA is out of Benjor Maddy Lombo, who has produced some very nice handy types including Handsandwheels, who was a winner of 29 races and over $700,000 in stakes and Rock Me Over, a winner of 25 races and earnings just shy of $400,000, just to name a few.

To wrap up their last meeting of the season, the Bridgetown Harness Racing Club hosted well over 300 patrons, with big crowds enjoying an eight-race card.

Race one saw the Barry Howlett trained Sugar Covered break through for his maiden win in the 3YO Westbred Maiden event over the 2190m trip, driven by Chris Voak.

Purchased by Howlett at the 2022 APG Yearling Sales, the now three-year-old is by Sweet Lou USA and out of the outstanding mare Bettor Cover Lover NZ, an earner of over $1,000,000.

Enjoying plenty of separate success at the last meeting, Matt Scott and Aiden De Campo joined forces in the second on the card, with Sister Act NZ getting the win in race two, winning by a head margin on the line over the race favourite, Rockinthebox.

It was a dominant win in race three with Kopper Kote working his way to the breeze for driver Stuart McDonald, kicking away to win by 19m.

The four-year-old was having just his 10th start in a race and started as the $1.80 favourite at Bridgetown, proving his was all class in that race when bringing up his second career win for trainer Stephen De Campo.

Theycall Me Stooge has had an 11-month hiatus from the winner’s circle, but the nine-year-old double westbred son of Advance Attack NZ lead all the way on Sunday to win by a very comfortable 13.4m margin for trainer Peter Trefort and Emily Suvaljko.

Adrian Shanks made the trip over from Albany and was rewarded for his efforts with Grapellies Boy getting the win in race five. Driven by Trent Wheeler, the pair won at $9 odds, and breaking a whopping 62 start losing sequence, with his last win back in February 2021 in Albany.

De Campo cleaned up in Bridgetown over the two meetings, with Dourado making it two from two at the small rural track.

Starting at $1.16 odds, the four-year-old started off the 30m handicap over the 2190m standing start trip, and after beginning without a fault, De Campo worked his way forward to gain the lead in the early stages, kicking away to win by 30.3m.

The maidens rounded out the program with Major Buzz scoring his first win for trainer Jeremy Thornton. Driven by Shannon Suvaljko, the four-year-old led initially, but after surrendering the lead in the early stages, found himself having to hook wide down the back straight with around 300m to go with the leader and favourite Plastered, galloping his way out of contention.

Major Buzz managed to run home the better to win by a 1.6m margin over The Thirsty Vet at his 12th attempt at the win.

Club President Graeme Waters made mention that the club had a great couple of meetings this season, with plenty on course enjoying the racing action as well as the community benefits that the club offers.

The canteen, which is run by the local school are able to fundraise for their P&F, as well as the meetings sponsored by local companies, showcasing the importance of the volunteer run clubs.

“The ladies’ day was a big success, next year we hope to have it bigger and better.”

by Ashleigh Paikos, for RWWA