Better Eclipse returns to winning form

One of nation’s most prominent harness racing pacers Better Eclipse (Betterthancheddar) struck winning gold for his new harness racing stable with a narrow but fighting win in the Mobile pace at Gloucester Park on Friday evening.

Having his fifth start for the Hall stable, Better Eclipse commenced quickly from barrier two but couldn’t head off Rolling Fire and was left racing outside the leader. But Gary Hall Jnr made a tactical move with just under two laps to go that proved to be decisive. Favourite Golden Lode was set alight by Deni Roberts three wide to tackle the leaders. Hall decided to press for the lead and he crossed Rolling Fire who was then pocketed. Golden Lode eventually moved up to race outside Better Eclipse.

On the final bend Better Eclipse was keeping his rivals at bay and Rolling Fire was looking for a way out. And despite his hard run Golden Lode kept beavering away and he joined Better Eclipse half way down the straight. But in a driving finish Better Eclipse found a bit more and he held on by a short half head from Golden Lode with Rolling Fire still looking for a run at the finish in third. The other unlucky runner was Magnus Victor who was three back on the rails and unable to obtain a clear run at any stage.

BETTER ECLIPSE DEC 19 REPLAY

Better Eclipse has had a star studded background prior to joining the Hall stable. Now a seven-year-old, the gelding has had a distinguished career under previous trainer Jess Tubbs and driven by the late Greg Sugars with three Group 1 successes counted amongst his 25 wins and just over $1.4 million in stake money.

Earlier on in his career he was successful in the Chariots of Fire at Menangle and the Sunshine Sprint at Albion Park and he also went to New Zealand to take out the Auckland Cup. Better Eclipse is raced by Antoinette Bajada.

Hall Jnr highlighted the challenges of preparing a top class pacer in a new jurisdiction.

I just got him to drop the bit i was sort of happy with where we were but when that three wide horse came (Golden Lode) he grabbed the bit hard and I wasn’t going to be able to do too much from where I was.

We had to come up with a Plan B on the spot. Luckily he was able to take the lead off that horse who was probably star gazing a little bit Rolling Fire as he does.

But really happy with him. It’s good to see him get a win. He’s been a really good horse for every year of his career would have been shame to see him come over here and not win a race. He’s ticked that off now, I think he’s getting better I think he looks way too fat for my eye. So hopefully he’s still on the way up.

As I said he pulled hard for Maddie (Madelaine Brown) with cover in the Pacing Cup locked away. He would have come undone if he didn’t get the lead when that horse come three wide. I think that it gets back to fitness, he hasn’t had the racing to get him to settle like I want him to. I’m still learning about him. It’s a lot of pressure when you have a horse like him who’s earned so much money to come out and do their best.

Outside the winner Golden Lode ran a terrific race to just go under after being three wide and outside the leader. He ran a credible fourth in last week’s Western Australia Pacing Cup and there’s no doubt next year he will come back stronger.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink