Harry stamps his class

Talented former Kiwi trotter Harry Stamper (Majestic Son) could be heading back across the Tasman in pursuit of richer harness racing spoils after his impressive win in the Aldebaran Park Trotters Free For All at Melton. 

Driver James Herbertson showed plenty of patience allowing Harry Stamper to lob along at the rear of the field before pulling out to stake his claim with 500 metres to travel. 

Harry Stamper ($2.70) quickly levelled up with the leaders on straightening and appeared to win with something in reserve scoring by a neck from the $2 favorite Keayang Ignite in a mile rate of 1:58.7. 

Harry Stamper showed his dazzling speed to swoop home to victory in the Aldebaran Park Trotters Free For All with James Herbertson taking the reins. The Joe Pace-trained gelding has now had back-to-back wins as he prepares for the bigger races later in the year. pic.twitter.com/h3WWIgJ7fu

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) August 3, 2024

Trainer Joe Pace is satisfied Harry Stamper is back to his best following a neck injury he sustained earlier in the year. 

“He tore a muscle in his neck and it actually detached from the bone,” Pace said. 

“The vet told me that I could keep working him but I couldn’t work him as hard as I would have liked and he was an angry horse when he galloped in his first couple of runs back,” he said. 

Pace said Harry Stamper is showing signs of his old self in recent weeks. 

“The injury has healed over time and he is a different horse now,” he said. 

“He goes better with a sit as he tends to wait for them when he is in front, even tonight he was probably going to win by five metres but he can switch off so James said it might pay to put some pull downs on him in the better races.” 

In terms of better races, Pace said there were tentative plans in place to contest the Group 1 Dominion (Stand Trot) at Addington in November. 

“We are discussing about him going home to race in the Dominion as the distance will suit him and he is good from the stand,” he said. 

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink