Tick A Loch switches off her rivals in Riverina Championships win

Junee horseman Bruce Harpley scooped the pool when his talented harness racing mare Tick A Loch (Always B Miki) came with a well timed burst to take out the $100,000 Tab Regional Championship Final at the Riverina Paceway at Wagga on Friday.

Harpley allowed leading driver Cameron Hart who had made the trip from Sydney to take the drive on Tick A Loch while he elected to sit behind his other consistent mare Needbee who had also made the Final.

In a keen betting race Thalassophobia was backed into favouritism but there was strong support as well for Tick A Loch and Alta William who was drawn the pole for driver Will Rixon.

In a fast run race Captain Tom held the lead with Tick A Loch behind the leader but the lead changed several times with both Tick A Loch and then Alta William in front at various stages. Thalassophobia had a good run one out and two back but he starting to struggle along the back straight.

Alta William led on the final bend with MissAudacious out wide issued a strong challenge. But at that critical point Cameron Hart extricated Tick A Loch off the rails and she put the issue quickly beyond doubt as she surged away to record a clear win. Needbee who was burrowed back on the rails mid field and when clear stormed home to finish second just under four metres from the winner with I’m Dustee in third placing. It was a copybook winning drive by Hart who showed his driving prowess and winning yet another major event.

TICK A LOCH MAY 17 REPLAY

Prior to the big event Harpley had expressed confidence in Tick A Loch’s chances.

“This shows the importance of barrier draws after she had drawn barrier 2” he had stated.

“She’s been very unlucky in draws. You need to drive her right up on the pace. She is a beautiful mare to drive”.

And that obviously a factor for Cameron Hart to decide to come to Wagga for the drive after he was considering his driving options for the day.

Hart was confident on straightening but realised when Tick a Loch started to slightly tire of another horse coming on the scene. “I didn’t know who it was but knew straight away when I recognised Bruce’s voice” he commented.

Tick A Loch returned a mile rate of 1.54.9. Her Wagga success which is her biggest win to date now takes her stake earnings to just under $128,000 and she now has nine wins from 49 starts. The mare is raced by her breeder Lance Cobban who is based at Albury and has enjoyed many good times with his smart mare. For Lance this was his biggest win as an owner.

Harpley said “He’s been a loyal owner and put so much money into the sport.” “It’s been great the greatest initiative for harness racing New South Wales to run these $100,000 regional events as it gives many owners a chance to earn some good prize money.”

Harpley was also full of praise for Needbee.

“It was a massive run. We couldn’t get in early. She’s a real staying type and we wanted to leave it as late as we could.”

Stablemate Needbee who is a year older isn’t that far behind Tick A Loch and the two mares will continue to make their presences felt as they graduate through the classes.

Right now their next mission is another feature next Saturday night the $100,000 TAB Regional championship Final which is for Pacers who qualified from the Finals conducted at Wagga, Bathurst, Newcastle and Menangle.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink