Eastern raiders set to pounce on WA’s major races

The inaugural $1 million Nullarbor has reignited eastern states interest in WA harness racing.

The fact NSW raiders Betterzippit (Betterthancheddar) and Spirit Of St Louis (Sweet Lou) ran the quinella revived memories of when many of Australia’s best pacers would tackle WA’s major races.

Already high-class NSW four-year-old My Ultimate Ronnie is confirmed for the $125,000 4YO Classic on December 1 and $200,000 Group 1 Golden Nugget on December 15.

And now the connections of one of Australia’s talented and publicised pacers, Captain Ravishing, have flagged strong interest in both races.

Trainer Ahmed Taiba said Captain Ravishing’s performance in the $40,000 Breeders Crown 4YO at Melton on November 18 would decide whether he headed to Perth.

“Hass (Taiba, owner) is keen to go, he’s made that clear,” Taiba said. “It’s a chance to race for good money against his own age.

“The Crown will attract a good field with Catch A Wave and others, so it will give us a good guide where he’s at.”

Should Captain Ravishing tackle the four-year-old races, it would also give Taiba and connections experience ahead of a possible return trip for the second-running of the $1.25mil Nullarbor and rescheduled $300,000 Fremantle Cup in April.

My Ultimate Ronnie, who blitzed his rivals in the NSW Breeders Challenge 4YO final at Menangle yesterday, is booked on a flight to Perth on November 20.

“We’ve been keen to go for a while and I think we’ve got him as good as he’s ever been,” trainer Jarrod Alchin said.

“He ran home in 25.8sec yesterday and Cam (Hart, driver) said he’s never felt as good

“He won’t race again before the trip, but I’ll trial him at Menangle.

“I’ll also talk to Mick Radley (Gloucester Park CEO) about working him between races at Gloucester Park the week before he races.”

Cam Brown, RWWA’s Head of Harness Racing and Special Projects, said it was exciting to build on the momentum of the Nullarbor with more interstate flavour.

“There is a really concerted effort to attract some of the best eastern states talent to boost our major races,” he said.

“It’s terrific to hear of the interest from the connections of My Ultimate Ronnie and Captain Ravishing.

“As well as the four-year-old features, we’d love to see them back next April when we’re holding the richest pacing free-for-all race in the world, the $1.25mil Nullarbor, and a week later the Retravision Fremantle Cup for $300,000. There’s $1.55mil up for grabs across those two races.”

Leap To Fame’s owner Kevin Seymour has also said a Perth trip next year was “a real possibility” for his superstar.

“Our focus for now is the Inter Dominion here (Brisbane) and after that we’ll look at how the first few months of next year look for him, but Perth is an option, especially now they’ve got the two races,” he said.

by Adam Hamilton, for RWWA