Denwen dances to first victory in more than two years

Brighton harness racing trainer Kelly Reggett made the trip to Burnie from her Brighton base with only one starter on Friday night and retuned home a winner after injury-plagued pacer Denwen Dancer (Sutter Hanover) led all the way to take out the $14,000 N.W.T.L.H.A Cup (2500m).

The five-year-old entire was second up from a 23-month break away from the track, stepped cleanly from his pole draw and was able to get away with some soft sections in the early and middle stages before dashing home in a 57.7s last-half mile, making it near impossible for his rivals to make ground on the 607m track.

Denwen Dancer scored by a head over Kuzma, who sat on the back of the leader and tried hard late, with Letsgobro 10.1m away third.

The win continued the good run of trainer Kelly Reggett, who took over the training of this pacer from her husband Mark.

“He did a suspensory, we got him back, but he went sore again, so we tipped him back out,” said Kelly post-race.

“I was a bit worried he wouldn’t jump on top, but at the trials, we hand no pins in him, so we pinned him up, and he stepped really good.

“As long as he stays sound, we will be right,” explained the trainer, who said the upcoming Golden Apple on the raider.

The saying you have to be on speed to win at Burnie was proven wrong by driver Kayleb Williams, not once, but twice on the program.

He scored on the Geoff Smith-trained Laid Back Kenny who overcame barrier five on the second row in a mobile start event over 2180m to become the first horse in over 10 years to have won from that barrier draw.

Williams then partnered with Tammy Langley trained Alaphilippe to score from position five on the second line in an 1892m standing start race.

Both horses came from second last at the bell and raced wide over the final lap.

Williams shared driving honours at the meeting with Gareth Rattray, who drove Terror The Christian and Karaltra Dazzler to victory. Both horses are trained by Ben Yole, who took honours on the card with a treble, also having success with Blackjack Jim.

For complete race results, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing