Flare Up fires up in Tomlin Memorial at Newcastle

The highlight of Newcastle’s harness racing meeting on Friday night was the $15,300 Bill and Glenn Tomlin Memorial and the event now in its 24^th year did not disappoint.

Maitland trainer Darren Elder had four runners engaged including his favoured candidate Flare Up (Warrawee Needy). Punters judgement was spot on as the six year old mare stormed down the outside to take out the major prize ahead of Ideal Mondo and Bettor Cheer.

Despite drawing the pole position driver Blake Hughes was in no urgency to hold the early lead and he settled down three back on the rails. The well supported OhwhatIwouldgive showed enough pace early to take up the running with Ideal Mondo taking the trail behind the leader.

Last year’s winner Karaoke King was back in the field but driver Jack Callaghan moved up three wide at the bell to race outside the leader. Karaoke King edged to the lead on the final bend but Ideal Mondo obtained an inside run to challenge half way down the straight. However Hughes had extricated Flare Up off the rails and she finished too strongly. It was a perfect drive by Hughes whose maturity belied his youth.

Aged just 22 years, the Hunter Valley reinsman has now chalked up 490 wins and an outstanding career awaits him.

After the race Hughes stated “She had a really good trip from gate 1. Once she got out in the clear she was pretty good.”

“I thought she was the best runner. I was pretty confident. It’s a good local race.”

Flare Up showed great promise as a two year old and recently has been racing consistently.

Ideal Mondo was given the run of the race behind the leader but he had no match for the finishing burst from Flare Up.

FLARE UP MAY 30 REPLAY BILL AND GLENN TOMLIN MEMORIAL

The race is named in honour of the late father and son Bill and Glenn Tomlin, popular local harness racing identities.

Bill Tomlin was a highly respected lifetime trainer and driver and for many years was course curator. His son Glenn a promising young driver was killed in a training accident at the family property at Medowie.

Recognized as a feature race on the Newcastle Harness racing calendar, The Glenn and Bill Tomlin Memorial is designed specifically for horses trained in the Hunter, Newcastle, Central Coast, Taree & Tamworth regions.

In addition to the attractive prize money, the event is generously sponsored by Garrards Horse and Hounds who have provided a sulky to the winning connections. The race is also boosted by a  number of other prizes donated by other sponsors.

Since 2000 when the race was first staged and won by Algona Road driven by Clayton Harmey the race has been sought after by the local harness racing community.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink