Gordons Bay springs Hobart shock

Gordons Bay delivered an upset to harness racing punters when claiming the Toreace Flying Mile (1609m) in Hobart on Sunday night.

Driven by Todd Rattray, Gordons Bay ($26) sat midfield on the pylons from a second-row draw. The Captaintreacherous gelding worked one off near the 500m, before finding clear room deeper on the track turning for home, to finish off best for a 1.67m win over Maebee ($5), with Keayang Fitzy ($16) a half-head away third.

A fast first quarter was set by the leaders in 26.7s, before splits of 30.1s, 29.1s and 29.5s, with the time for the mile being 1:55.4s.

At $26, Gordons Bay’s win was an upset for punters, but it wasn’t for trainer Charlie Castles.

“I wasn’t surprised, he went pretty well in good time in that quick 2200m free-for-all in Launceston last start, and he was getting home as good as any. So we knew he was going well and that he needed the right trip, and that’s exactly what Todd (Rattray) gave him.

“He’s a high rater, so we will just have to keep finding races for him. There are some good races coming up, and he will have to race in a few stands, but we will just pick them off as they come with him.”

Gordons Bay was sold by his New South Wales connections about six months ago and is raced by Peter Cooley and Paul Dolden.

Cooley has won many awards, including the Tasmanian harness racing’s highest honour, the Edgar Tatlow medal in 2002. He has been an administrator, was inducted into the Tasmanian Harness Hall of Fame in 2014, and was awarded the Order of Australia in 2016 for services to the industry. Earlier this year, he ended a long association with The Mercury Newspaper, supplying various content since the 1960s.

Another highlight from Sunday’s Hobart card occurred in the opening race, won by two-year-old filly Jillstiger ($5).

The win was significant for trainer Kent Rattray, his 250th since gaining his trainers licence in the 1990/91 season.

For complete race results, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing