Drama-filled Cups double at Boort

Star Victorian harness racing reinswoman Kerryn Manning made a clean sweep of the Boort Pacers and Trotters Cups yesterday (Mar 2) – but it was certainly in unusual circumstances.

Old-school racing was the order of the day at the tight 712-metre Boort circuit, with action-packed affairs in both the Cups – with the Pacers’ edition decided after an extended protest.

The champion reinswoman collected the $12K Peter Walsh Trotters Cup on Sir Eros (Creatine) for trainer Danny O’Brien but it wasn’t without a few anxious moments.

Yankee Lover began like a bullet for reinsman James Herbertson and effortlessly found the front, with Manning settling in the one-one position behind Double Helix (Jackie Barker).

A lap later Midnight Eagle (Alex Ashwood) ranged around the field from the rear, but as Ashwood found the death-seat, Yankee Lover galloped veering to the inside of the track, followed moments later by Midnight Eagle.

With both of the leaders out of contention, Barker avoided trouble and pushed forward to the lead, with Manning left parked outside the leader.

“It was a changing race, and I didn’t end up where I wanted to be!” Manning said after the race.

“He pulled pretty hard, and I was a bit worried about that.  But I kept reining him in the last little bit and he kept soldiering on, so it’s nice to see him back in form,” she said.

Trainer Danny O’Brien said Sir Eros was a nice horse who had dealt with “his share” of problems.

“We had a bit of luck today, but I think he can keep winning a few more,” he said.

“Boort’s a great spot and I was very keen on the chances of our other runner, The Ninth Wave (Art Major) (which won the Bill Foley Tribute Trot).

“The club has a good committee, and all credit goes to them – let’s hope they can keep going forward.”

Watch the replay click here.

Even more drama was to unfold in the $12K Neil Beattie Family Boort Pacing Cup half an hour later.

Collective Works, trained at Meredith by Carson Millar, began smartly from barrier one for Ewa Justice.

But the pacer went roughly rounding the first corner and veered to the inside of the track.  Cee Cee in America moved forward briefly in search of the lead, but Justice and Collective Works continued along the sprint lane before reclaiming the top before the turn.

Collective Works continued to lead the way and ran home strongly to cross the line three metres ahead of Lincoln River (Bettors Delight) which had travelled in the one out-one back position throughout.

Watch the Pacing Cup replay here.

Manning protested the finishing positions, with stewards upholding her objection after deliberating for 40 minutes.  Stewards disqualified Collective Works for rejoining the field when in the sprint lane, and an inquiry has been adjourned into Justice’s actions.

“It’s a bit of a funny feeling winning a race that way – I’ve won normal races before a couple of times on protest, but never a feature race,” Manning said.

“It took a long time for the decision to come through, but it was nice to get the win. Lincoln River was a nice young horse, and I thought a lot of him, but he’s had some issues and spent a fair bit of time out.

“He’s shown glimpses this time in (as a five year old) and I’ve been working him really hard and had him on a diet – today was D-Day, so hopefully we’re getting there! We’ll have a look around at what might be suitable next for him.”

It was the fourth time Manning had won the Boort Pacing Cup (previously with Sophie Pass in 2009, Motu Meteor 2018 and Pay Rise 2020) and her third success in the Trotters Cup (previously with Tennotrump in 2006 and Paparazzi Snapshot 2014).

It was the Boort club’s single meeting for 2025, and it was blessed with perfect conditions and the usual large crowd which Manning commented was in strong voice at the home turn of both Cup races.

For complete race results, click here.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink