Swan Hill road trip goes perfectly to plan

There aren’t too many Victorian tracks trainer-driver Mark Hayes hasn’t tackled in his career, but he made his first visit to Swan Hill last week a memorable one.

The Swan Hill Harness Racing Club programmed two races for square gaiters at its June 19 meeting and it had the desired result, luring some new stables to the northwest Victorian track.

That included Maryborough-based Hayes and his wife, Susan, and their humbly-named square gaiter “That Other Thing” (Alderbaran Eagle), who took out the VHRC – Aldebaran Park Trot.

“The owners come from up that way, so when there was a suitable race, we put him in so they could come and see him and watch him race,” Hayes said.

“I broke the horse in for the owner Rob Cross and after a few preps he ended up back with me to race.  The other part owners are Riley and Montanna Hughes, who are Rob’s mate’s kids. It was great that they were all there to see him win.

“And the club just looks after you so well, with fuel vouchers and a barbecue for participants – it was a really terrific night all round.”

Hayes said the horse had been racing well, but he had made the two-and-a-half-hour trip knowing the outcome would depend on That Other Thing’s manners on the night.

“He has a bit of ability, but he’s his own worst enemy, a bit of a clown and with a fair bit of ‘white line fever’,” Hayes said.

“A 10-year-old kid could lead him around at home, but at the races I have to get the Clerk of Course to lead me out onto the track, and if the Clerk is not behind me when we’re circling behind the mobile we’ll end up inside the track.

“He galloped after the start at his past two, so I was a bit careful with him out of the gate, but I was a bit surprised we were so far behind when they settled.”

That Other Thing was giving the leaders around 50 metres after the initial burn, but Hayes drove him to perfection, working around to the one-out, two-back position, before setting That Other Thing alight at the 400 metres.

Check the results and race replays at this link.

Hayes is the preferred breaker for the youngsters of prominent owner-breeder Emilio Rosati, but he and Susan like to keep a racehorse or two in the stable as well, currently That Other Thing and fast-class trotter Ser Patrick (Bacardi Lindy).

“It’s just Susan and I working about 12 to 15 horses. I’d be lost without her, and I often say it’s just as well we both love the same job, because it’s early mornings and late nights and hard work!” he said.

“But we do love it.  We’ve loved getting started on the first crop of youngsters by Emilio’s Elite Stride, who stood at Alabar last season.  They look very promising.  We’ve had seven by Elite Stride come through and there is not one that you would say isn’t good enough at this early stage.

“We enjoy the process of getting the babies started and helping them learn – but they come and go so it’s nice to have one or two that are here that you get really attached to and you can take to the races and have some fun with,” he said.

Hoofnote: Swan Hill Harness Racing Club President Noel Watson said the club was continuing its recent fundraiser theme, with the most recent function in support of Motor Neurone Disease.

“Our major club sponsor Tony Keil organized the function and there were 100 people upstairs – it was a terrific success.  Tony is an outstanding supporter of our club, and also does the Blue Pearl Night, which showcases the female drivers in our sport,” Watson said.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink