Adrian sets the pace with another career milestone

Young Victorian reinsman Adrian Pace might have notched up his first metropolitan harness racing winner only last Saturday (Aug. 5) – but it’s not too much of a stretch to think his second might be just around the corner.

The concession driver has more than 30 wins in the book but says victory in the Catanach Jewellers Melton Pace heats with stable favorite Wheres Seggy (Hurrikane Kingcole) was undoubtedly one of the highlights of his career so far.

He’ll now partner the six-year-old gelding in the $30,000 final at Melton on Saturday night (Aug 12).

“I was pretty excited to get that win – but it really didn’t set in until I got home and watched the replay – a lot of times!” he laughed.

For replays and results, click here.

“We’ve drawn 13 in the final, but if the speed is on as it was in the heats, I think he can come from back in the field and be in it again,” Pace said.

For complete race fields, click here.

Where’s Seggy is trained by Adrian’s father Joe, but the 22-year-old shares a strong affinity with the horse, which he picked out to buy from Queensland as a three-year-old.

“I saw him advertised and watched his replays, and there was just something about him I really liked, especially his win at Redcliffe before we bought him,” Pace said.

“Ever since we got him, he’s kept improving.  He has a really good attitude and is just a pet at home around the stables. He’s not the speediest horse, but he can come off speed and he’s tough as well, which he showed on Saturday night.”

Wheres Seggy has now recorded 12 wins for the Pace stable, including two metropolitan class victories, bringing his career earnings to $95,000.

Adrian said his first metropolitan win stands alongside setting a track record at Cranbourne with Supreme Dominator in 2021 as favorite moments in a sport that was always in his blood.

“I was always going to be in the sport – my grandfathers Vic Pace and Charlie Sant were in it, and then dad, as well as his brothers and sisters.  My cousin Blake Pace is a driver as well and his brother Riley is also getting his licence.  Our whole family loves it,” Adrian said.

“I appreciate the opportunities I am getting with driving – dad doesn’t have much choice, I guess, but I really appreciate the outside drives I get from the trainers who put me on regularly.”

Pace combines his driving with working in the construction industry for Westkon, a company producing precast components and architectural products, and says so far, the two are proving compatible.

“My boss is Sal Carrello, who was involved in harness racing as well, working for John McLean, so he understands the industry.  I’m pretty fortunate that he is very flexible, and he lets me go when he can if I have day races.”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink