Compete keeps getting better

Up and coming pacer Compete (Sweet Lou) scored his most important harness racing success to date when he led all the way to score a hollow win in the $30,600 Bert Alley New Years Gift Final at Menangle Park last night.

With a favourable barrier draw of number 2, Compete pinged straight to the front in a talented field with virtually no effort and without any early challenger.

The tactics allowed driver Cameron Hart to let Compete bowl along and it was obvious a long way from home that he only need to sprint a quick last half to make things impossible for those chasing him.

That’s precisely what happened as Compete was able to keep space between himself and his rivals. Pandaia who had the trail behind the leader finished on gamely but was no match for Compete.

Compete’s overall mile rate of 1.51.5 included a fast last quarter of 26.8 seconds.

COMPETE REPLAY

Favourite Banbridge was forced to come from a one out and two back position and with Compete running his last quarter in a slick 26.8 seconds it was a creditable performance by him to finish in third.

Similarly the efforts of Haveyoucheckedin and Major Hot were also of merit as they too were doing their best work at the finish. Compete has now won his last four races under new trainer Jason Grimson and looks to have a bright future in better company.

The win gave Cameron Hart and Jason Grimson a winning double as earlier in the night they were successful with another five year old Dom Toretto (Sweet Lou) who appreciated the tearaway leader tactics of Stravinsky while favourite Laver was forced to do a little more extra work. Biding his time on the final bend Hart negotiated a run to race past Laver who was not disgraced with Major Major finishing on for third placing.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink