Horn Player arrives in big time

Up and coming pacer Horn Player (Sweet Lou) proved that he’s reached the serious players when he led all the way for a narrow but convincing harness racing win in the Graham McNiece Memorial at Menangle Park on Saturday evening.

Showing scintillating speed from barrier 8, Horn Player went straight to the lead to hold out the field.

The race was robbed of interest when star pacer Swayzee was a late scratching adding to the speculation that he may not be ready to go to New Zealand for a third attempt for the New Zealand Cup this month.

HORN PLAYER NOV 1 REPLAY

Favourite Max Delight was caught wide early but driver Will Rixon had little option but to go forward and he eventually raced outside the leader.

After a cracking first quarter of 26.3 seconds, Brad Hewitt on Horn Player attempted to steady the pace but with a second quarter of 28 seconds he wasn’t given much of a breather. I Break The Line who drew the pole settled behind the leader.

Horn Player appeared to have most of his rivals off the bit on the final bend but Max Delight even after having had a hard run continued to grind away and he was still trying to gather the leader in. With one last push he made a desperate lunge at the line but Horn Player held on by a neck with I Break The Line battling on for third placing.

The winner’s mile rate of 1.49.3 added further credit to Horn Player but also was a timely reminder of just what a wonderful grand pacer Max Delight is. The veteran gelding is racing in the best form of his career.

Both Horn Player and Max Delight should figure prominently if their connections any of the country cups that are about to kick with off with Wagga’s $60,000 Cup to be staged on Friday 14 December.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink