Double Helix makes amends in Echuca Trotters Cup

Bold front running harness racing trotter Double Helix (Majestic Son) made amends for his last start narrow defeat at Stawell when he led all the way in the Echuca Trotters Cup on New Year’s Day Night.

Double Helix led in the Stawell Trotters Cup before being grabbed on the line by multiple Group 3 winner One Over All.

Sent out a $3.80 favorite, Double Helix quickly mustered sufficient speed from his favorable front-line alley to head off Sangreal and driver Jackie Barker was allowed to stroll through the first quarter in :33 seconds.

Double Helix got rolling shortly after reeling off three sub :30 second sectionals before the two leaders cleared out from their rivals halfway down the home straight with only a short half head separating the pair on the line.

The winner is trained by veteran Stawell based conditioner Phillip Giles who had Double Helix ready for his assignment.

“Jackie said in the preliminary all he wanted to do was go and that he felt the best he’s ever felt,” Giles said.

“He got away with a slow first quarter, but he got rolling after that,” he said.

Double Helix has proven a prudent investment by Giles who outlayed $6000 for the seven-year-old in March 2022.

“I think he’s now won $68,000 since we bought him,” he said.

Double Helix wasted little time in repaying his purchase price saluting at his first two starts for Giles and has since won seven races including the Central Victoria Trotting Final and the Boort Trotters Cup.

“He loves the standing start and the distance races, the further he goes the better he likes it,” he said.

The 68-year-old Giles said Double Helix is the best horse he’s trained after a lifetime in harness racing.

“He gives 110 per cent in training and on the racetrack,” he said.

“He’s only a small horse but he has a heart as big as Phar Lap.”

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink