Lifelong memories in just 11 hours

Central Victorian harness racing horseman Ross Graham had a day he’s sure to cherish for the rest of his life this week.

Graham, based at Sutton Grange, was presented with a baby boy, named Charlie, by his partner Emily at 10.30am on Tuesday—and then a little over 11 hours later, he cheered home his square gaiter to a win in the second round of the ID22 series at Shepparton.

Six-year-old bay gelding Nephew Of Sonoko (Danny Bouchea) led all-the-way for leading State driver James Herbertson. In a thrilling finish, they held on by the barest margin to beat warm favorite Bolt For Brilliance, who was awesome after locking wheels, with Always Ready a close-up third.

“I was surprisingly fairly calm at Shepparton after a pretty big day.  But all was good with Emily and the baby at Bendigo Hospital and all I had to do really was transport the horse to the track and gear him up. It may have been different had I been driving!” Graham said.

“He’s fifth on the ladder at the moment so we should get through okay. The horse has pulled up really well during the series. He’s doing normal work, although he’s getting a slow jog after his races instead of having it off,” he said.

“He hasn’t stopped eating which is great. I must admit that I was a little worried when Herbie (reinsman James Herbertson) pinched a bit of a break at his last run. But he got there.”

Nephew Of Sonoko, raced by Graham along with his brother Leigh, has been a terrific horse with 19 wins and 28 placings for over $265,000 in stakes.

Ross Graham said the square gaiter had won three or four Group Three races during his career.

“He’s matured a lot and one of my favorite wins would be when he took out the VicBred Platinum Final. A victory in the Wagon Apollo feature was also special,” he said.

“Many years ago I purchased his grand dam Ima Barbie Girl (Riverlea Jack) from South Australia for $5000 as a broodmare. I remember my brother Leigh giving it to me for paying such a big amount when he believed there were a lot of others that were cheaper.

“But I always thought she was good value and had a lot going for her as a broodmare.”

Ima Barbie Girl had six foals for the Graham family—four of these being trotters and two pacers. Madeleine One (Armbro Operative) was the best performer with five pacing victories.

Sister Sonoko (Framework) won only one race as a trotter, but in the breeding barn she proved to be a shining star first up, producing Nephew Of Sonoko. He is one of two foals to make it to the racetrack.

Graham will be hoping it’s a case of third time lucky come the Inter Dominion final. He’s previously competed in the 2007 and 2008 features with Viva La Fever (Village Jasper), a winner of 26 races and 31 placings for $350,000.

“My partner Emily listened to the Shepparton heat win the other night and she’s hoping she will be out of hospital in time to get to Geelong to watch the third round of heats on Saturday night.”

Graham is working a team of 12 to 14 racehorses, along with a heap of youngsters. He’s trained 30 winners for the season.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink