Hail the King! Bernie captures record

It took 254 starts, but cult figure pacer Bernie Winkle has written his name into the Victorian harness racing record books at the Mildura paceway he has made his own.

The Bendigo-trained nine-year-old last night recorded a staggering 36^th race victory at the far northwest Victorian track.

It’s a feat notable not only for the fact that it breaks a 30-year Victorian record, but also the manner in which it was achieved, with the electrifying spectacle of “Bernie’s” lightning last lap sprints around the tight circuit.

Bernie Winkle last year equaled the record for the most victories at one track, held by freakish square gaiter True Roman (trained by Graeme Johannesen, at Sebastian) who won 71 races in a 131-start career – 35 of which were at Melbourne’s Moonee Valley.

Bernie Winkle equaled True Roman’s mark on November 19 at Mildura and, in between Melton assignments (including one win) has since made the four-hour journey up the Calder Highway five times for three placings.

But last night was his night, and Bernie Winkle now holds the record outright, his complete CV standing at 57 victories and 63 placings from 254 starts.

Prepared at Strathfieldsaye, by Victoria’s leading State trainer Julie Douglas (60 wins for the season), and owned by her parents Eric and Heather Anderson, the Douglas-Anderson stable marvels at what “Bernie” has been able to achieve.

The Andersons paid $30,000 for the pacer when they brought him out from New Zealand as a three-time winner who had raced only in standing start events.

Bernie Winkle was always a handy horse for connections, but it was when he was sent to Mildura during COVID-19 regional racing that he seemed to step up to a new level.

Whether it was confidence, maturity, time or the lack of a need to travel to race, “Bernie” put together a spectacular string of 10 consecutive wins, earning “cult status” along the way.

“People do just love him – they are still yelling out ‘Bernie’ if they spot me at the pub with the boys, or if we are out for tea,” Glenn Douglas said.

“He’s a favorite of the stables because of the type of horse he is and what he has been able to do.  But it’s probably Ellen who loves him most, though,” he said.

Bernie Winkle’s Australian wins have been in the hands of seven drivers – Ellen Tormey (22), Glenn Douglas (13), Shane Smith (9), Monique Burnett (5), Daryl Douglas (3), Andrew Stenhouse (1) and Josh Duggan (1).

Tormey, who recently surpassed 800 career wins, is driving in stellar form, and again played no part in the early speed action, electing instead to sit near the rear of proceedings. She unleashed “Bernie’s” signature sprint, which was at its devastating best, in the final 400 metres:

Watch Bernie Winkles last start by clicking here.

Tormey freely admits driving Bernie Winkle is a thrill and the pacer is up there with some of her favorites.

“He’s fun to drive, and absolute pleasure, and I’m so glad he got there in the end.  It’s become a little more difficult because all of the others are aware of his racing pattern now – but it worked tonight, and that’s the main thing,” she said.

“He’s a 120 rater and every race is tough, but he’s going well.  His runs at Melton recently have been good, a win five starts back and his second against Sirletic a few weeks ago was terrific as well.

“We’ll look to drive him a little bit quieter now when we can, but hopefully he can still add a few more wins yet.”

While Bernie Winkle now a holds outright a record that may never be broken, others on the top five list for wins at a single track include True Roman (35 at Mooney Valley); evergreen Col Rogers trained pacer Murranji Track (29 at Mildura); and also past champions in Make Mine Cullen (another from the Douglas barn) 29 at Tabcorp Park Melton; and Sokyola (Lance Justice), with 29 wins at Moonee Valley.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink