Elder etches his name in history

Maitland reinsman Brad Elder has achieved quite a lot in the nine years he has driven in races boasting a career tally of well over 500 harness racing winners in the gig.

But it would be fair to say that none of those multiple victories have been quiet as special as his win on Monday afternoon in the Group 3 MH Truer Memorial at Bankstown aboard the Roy Roots trained Surfers Delight (Bettor’s Delight).

Speaking on Harness Racing New South Wales’ “The Sprint Lane” podcast this week, Elder explained how much it meant to him to now have his name etched on the Truer Memorial trophy, considering it a great honour for a race steeped in so much history.

And it took a masterful drive from Brad to land the prize on the Paul Borg owned gelding after he settled near last on the peg line and had it all to do with less than a lap to travel.

Elder weaved his way through a packing field to run up behind the leaders on the home turn and then gained a saloon passage along the inside to score clearly in the end.

“We got a dream run and Surfers Delight was full of running with three hundred metres to run,” said Elder. 

“I knew at that point that we just needed the breaks to come our way, which they did, and he powered home to get there.” 

“Roy and Paul have some lovely horses and it was great that they entrusted me to drive this bloke and pick up such an important win for them.” 

“The Treuer has always been a sort-after feature and it is a great honour to get my name on the trophy.” 

Three harness racing meetings are being conducted throughout New South Wales today with Wagga this afternoon being followed by Newcastle and Parkes tonight.

Brad looks set to have a strong book of drives at Newcastle competing in five of the eight races.

On paper, Run Viv Run who is drawn perfectly in gate three in race two does appear to be one of his better drives.

The seven-year-old is one of five runners in the race for Brad’s father Darren and was a handy winner at Newcastle two starts back while last time out he was held up at a vital stage and ran fourth.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW