Changing of the guard for Victoria’s top pacer

On the doorstep of some of Australian harness racing greatest pacing crowns was there a changing of the guard at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday night (Sep.3)?

While Lochinvar Art disappointed in fading to ninth in the second start of his comeback campaign, Honolua Bay (Somebeachsomewhere) only emboldened his reputation with an audacious front-running display.

In the shadows of the October 8 Victoria Cup and Victorian Inter Dominion that follows, the lightly-raced five-year-old produced an eighth consecutive win since crossing to Emma Stewart’s camp.

On Saturday night he advanced to the front in the TAB Minuteman Free For All and ran the chasers off their legs with a 55.2-second last half.

“It was (impressive) and I still think there’s more improvement in him yet,” reinsman Mark Pitt said.

Pitt didn’t waste time injecting Honolua Bay into the race, critically advancing from a wider back row gate to slide into the running line ahead of Lochinvar Art and then compounding that advantage by working to the front with a lap-and-a-half to run.

Jack Laugher on Torrid Saint was happy to cede the lead and then soon after Nathan Jack propelled Lochinvar Art to outside the leader, leaving the two big guns primed to battle in front.

But Lochinvar Art’s challenge was spent before the final turn and Honolua Bay was able to hold the pegline advances of Torrid Saint and Tango Tara to score by a length in a 1:53.8 mile rate.

“I was a little worried about Torrid Saint being on my back, but once I really shook him up he pulled right away,” Pitt said.

The race was the second to carry a Golden Ticket, which provides direct entry to this year’s Victorian Inter Dominion heats, which kick off on November 26 at Ballarat. The first pacing Golden Ticket race – the Westburn Grant Free For All – was also won by Honolua Bay.

“To be able to win a second Golden Ticket is just incredible. It’s always good to win one, but when you’ve got two you know you’ve got a spot,” Pitt said.

“He’ll have a nice lead up into it and as the heats go on I’m sure he’ll get better for the final.

“I’m super excited. I never thought I’d see this day. Since I’ve been a kid I’ve always wanted to have this opportunity and Emma (Stewart) and Clayton (Tonkin), and Bill and Anne (Anderson) have given me that opportunity and I’m very grateful for it.”

While there was delight in the Honolua Bay camp it was a different story for Lochinvar Art, who faded in his second start back from a long lay-off, finishing eighth and some 18 metres off the winner.

Scoping and vetting revealed “no abnormalities” for the champ, according to HRV steward Adrian Crowther.

For complete race results and replays, click here.

by Michael Howard, for HRV