Dele Row provides a tonic for floods affected owner.

Much improved pacer Dele Row (Art Major) continued his meteoric rise with a stirling harness racing win in the Wolf Signs Open Pace at Albion Park on Saturday night.

In doing so Dele Row provided some consolation to owner Doug Johnston, a dairy farmer from Taree who has been impacted by the floods currently there, so this would have given a good pick-me-up for Doug.

Punters only wanted Dele Row who was backed into solid favourite with Jimartee the only other runner under double figures.

Most expected Dele Row to hold the lead from his pole position but driver Pete McMullen decided to take a trail behind the very capable Speak The Truth who was having his first run for over two months.

DELE ROW MAY 24 REPLAY

Adam Sanderson on Speak The Truth was able to steady the pace and his tactics were to run a quick last half which he did running his last two quarters in 27.6 and 27.2 seconds.

McMullen waited until the top of the home straight before he went for an inside run. Speak The Truth fought back but on the night Dele Row had a little bit more to win by just over one metre Deus Ex finishing on well for third.

Jimartee who was given the run of the race faded to finish fifth.

Dele Row has now won six of his last starts at Albion Park with a race record of 31 starts for 12 wins and 11 placings and just over $215,000 in stake money.

Dele Row is not entered for the Inter Dominion but the second placed Speak The Truth as Number 12 in the rankings will obtain a start in the series as he continues this campaign.

Speak The Truth was a place getter in the 2024 Miracle Mile and a winner of the Queensland Triad bred 4YO Final and the 2023 Hayden at Albion Park.

Speak The Truth has a fastest time of 1.48.8 and given his liking for the Albion Park circuit must be considered a serious proposition in the Inter Dominion series at least during the Heats.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink