Harold Smith’s convincing McNamara Trotters Cup win.

Big striding New Zealander bred Harold Smith (Andover Hall) finally cracked a big race when he impressively scored In the Haras des Trotteurs McNamara Trotters Cup at Geelong last night.

Confidently driven by Mark Pitt, Harold Smith made light of his 10 metre handicap to take on and eventually take on and eventually lead pole marker Ebonys Avenger. Favourite Aldebaran Vera settled back third last as the field settled down in single file.

Harold Smith was always travelling well  even when Aldebaran Vera raced one out in the final lap and he strode away as the field straightened.

Veteran Sundons Courage made a run along the rail to finish six metres from Harold Smith with Ebonys Avenger third.

Since arriving in November last year, Harold Smith has had six races for trainer Emma Stewart.

“He can be a bit hot and cold” commented Pitt following the event. “But last start when second in the Cranbourne Cup was one of his best runs. Tonight he found the front. And he has some improvement in him.”

I was thinking of how he would get away, he can be rather slow in standing starts but tonight he got away good and safe. And we landed in front.”

“I don’t know him too well. He was a bit on edge tonight.”

Overall Harold Smith rated 2.1.7 for the 2570 metres standing start which was just outside the track record.

Pitt was ready to leave immediately after the race as he is to drive The Highland Reel in tonight’s New South Wales Derby final.

Sundon’s Courage showed there is still plenty of spark for a twelve year old in running home second. Favourite Aldebaran Vera had to race outside the leader in the final lap but she failed to run on at the finish. Backmarkers Plymouth Chubb and Parisian Artiste ruined their chances when they locked wheels in the final lap to finish at the rear of the field.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink