Tobins Chester puts seven-race win streak on the line

Friday night at Connell Park in Woodstock, the prestigious Barrieau-McIasac elimination will take place for a purse of $20,000 which has attracted seven starters including three-year old harness racing colt sensation Tobins Chester (Shanghai Phil).

Owned by Donald MacRae of Vernon Bridge, P.E.I the colt has reeled off seven straight stake wins in the Maritimes and has bankrolled over $62,000 in seasonal earnings in eight starts.

Over his last ten starts, Tobins Chester is averaging a whopping $8131.10 per start. His only loss in 2024 came in his first start of the campaign way back on May 28th. He’s never lost a race since.

Ashley Gamester trains Tobins Chester and driver Jason Hughes will look to keep the win streak intact. Purchased by MacRae at the Atlantic Classic yearling sale in 2022 for $ 40,000 he’s gone over $ 116,000 in lifetime earnings.

His last two wins were identical times of 1:53.1 in which he scored two Old Home Week wins in his home province. He has drawn post two this Friday night at Woodstock and will face six other rivals in the final race seven.

Two starters from the Myles Heffernan stable will take part Friday including Check Your Chip and Greg Bailey from post one, and Jackies Boy and Myles Heffernan Sr. from post four.

Friday’s elimination will carry a $20,000 purse with the winner of the race winning the chance to pick his own post position for the final with an estimated purse of $50,000 to go the following Friday.

Other starters in the field will include Allaboutthecash (Brady Sweet), Majestic Mason (Mark Haig) and Swordfromthestone and Brodie MacPhee.

Merigo Magic and Adam Merner looks to be the biggest threat to Tobins Chester as he has post six for trainer Melissa Rennie. He is ten for ten this year in top three finishes and is nearing $49,000 in purse money.

Including Friday night operators in New Brunswick have seven more cards scheduled at the Woodstock, New Brunswick half-mile track.

Post time for Friday night’s card is 6:00 P.M.

by Scott Waddell, for Horse Racing New Brunswick