Bringusjoy takes out The Pearl

Three year old filly Bringusjoy (Art Major) showed her older rivals how it was done with a narrow but determined harness racing win in The Pearl at Melton on Friday evening.

And it was that man of the moment Jordan Leedham whose tactics proved to be the major winning factor in getting Bringusjoy ahead of her rivals.

In a keen dash for the early lead Oceanique and Salsawithsierra both contested the lead with Oceanique holding the front. Nothing Sweeter who was favourite in a wide betting race took the trail behind the leader. Bringusjoy had drawn behind Nothing Sweeter but as the field settled down Leedham whipped Bringusjoy off the rails to take the perfect one out and one back trail.

BRINGUSJOY JUN 20 REPLAY

Second favourite Asmileandawinx was sitting right behind Bringusjoy. Bringusjoy quickly got the better of the tiring leaders on the final bend but Asmileandawix looked as if she would race right away with event. However Bringusjoy showed great heart and she showed plenty of pluck in holding out Asmileandawinx by a head with Sassyola coming from near last at the top of the straight only a further metre away third.

Trained by DP and BP Barnes who are based at Gordon near Ballarat, Bringusjoy is raced by The Devils Syndicate who turned out in large numbers to see her win her biggest race to date.

Prior to her Melton success, Bringusjoy’s only previous win was at Hobart in an all the way success when she was prepared by Tammy Langley. She still has a fair way to make up on the top three year old fillies racing at present but her performance against older mares serves to show that she will win more races in the future.

Driver Jordan Leedham has had a remarkable run of success of late and the win made up for a narrow loss on Chasing The Wind in the previous event.

The Pearl is an event staged by the Angelique Club honouring the memory of the late Pearl Kelly who was Australia’s first licensed reinswoman in 1916 and once finished third on the Melbourne drivers’ premiership a remarkable effort in those times. This was the second running of the event and it looks to be a worthy addition to the harness racing calendar.

This year’s trophy of pearl ear rings was generously donated by Catanach’s Jewellers.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink