Burns beaming at being part of Protostar!

There was a time when country Victorian harness racing hobby trainer Damien Burns was on the verge of giving up on getting a spot in the inaugural running of Australia’s rich juvenile slot race, the $500,000 Ladbrokes Protostar.

Now Burns, who hails from Snake Valley, just outside of Ballarat, is thrilled just to be a part of the prestigious event with his brilliant youngster Hesitate (Sportswriter) at Brisbane’s Albion Park this Saturday night (July 27).

“To actually be in it, that’s a win for us. We’re so appreciative to be offered a spot up against the best two-year-olds,” he said.

“I think I can now say that Hesitate’s definitely the number one pick of the horses I’ve had over the years.”

Burns handled the colt last Saturday night at The Creek in an eye-catching second to the Bernie Hewitt-trained Sweet On Lexy (Sweet Lou), but has confirmed that leading reinswoman Kate Gath will take the drive in the Protostar.

“That was always the plan. Kate is experienced in big races, and she’s had a few trial drives on him to get the feel,” he said.

Hesitate scored gate 9 in yesterday’s barrier draw. He is one of five Victorians in the Protostar – Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin have The Highlight Reel (barrier 3) and Cigano (barrier 10), while Horsham-based trainer-driver Aaron Dunn has Forty Love (barrier 2) and Nathan Jack has Sanchez (barrier 8).

Burns was keen to showcase Hesitate in Australia’s richest juvenile feature months ago, believing his high speed and “plenty of bottom” would make him a worthy contender.

But, prior to Saturday night, had not been seen at the races for over two months since a credible second to Forty Love at Melton in the Sapling Stakes.

Hesitate posted his fastest-ever time of 1.53-2 on Saturday night in what was a training masterpiece by Burns. The horse has now had six starts for three wins and three seconds.

“I was waiting for a phone call from a slot holder and there was a time when I thought I’d pull the pin on the idea and tip him out. Then we reached a deal with the race sponsor Ladbrokes to fill the second of their two slots,” he said.

“With that clarification I had to change the routine of Hesitate very quickly. I’d just been keeping him ticking along so we had to increase his work and also sent him off to the trials.”

Burns said he and the other part-owner Scott Petrie had decided it would be best if Hesitate flew from Victoria to Brisbane.

“In the end it was air transport or nothing, and he flew up with Ladies In Red last Tuesday,” Burns said.

“He arrived a very happy horse and is enjoying it up here at Darrel Graham’s beautiful property, with some nice Spring-like weather. I drove up with my wife Hayley and we’re enjoying the stay.

“Scott and his wife Ange couldn’t make it last weekend, but they’ll be here next Saturday.”

Burns said they met the Petrie’s when they were both building new homes in the same housing estate court a decade ago.

“Scott kept at me to get a horse so I took him up to Ken and Jan Wills’ place and that’s where it all began.

“We raced a trotter named Belts together and it won 12 races. It’s a bit special now to be watching Hesitate race, who we bred out of a former good mare in Village Tango (Village Jasper).”

Burns said he believed the speed would be on from the very start in the Protostar.

“It could well be the survival of the fittest – but we’re looking forward to it.”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink