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One of the nation’s oldest classic harness racing events in the form of the $30,000 Listed Southern Central Engineering Breeders Plate for two year olds was staged for the 70th time last night at the Leeton Showgrounds.
The inaugural running of the Leeton Breeders Plate in 1955 was taken out by Joe Raid driven by Len Walker. For those with long memories other prominent early winners included Ardrossan (1966) Glenerrol (1967) Bill Barry (1970), Noble Creed (1972) Happy Man (1978) Doubter (1980) and Precise (1981).
President Joanne Punch has highlighted the importance of the Leeton Breeders Plate.
“We’ve just put up a mural with the colours of some of the early stables that were associated with the Breeders Plate namely the Langs, Walkers and Harpleys all well known trotting families in the early days”’ We had a think about the future of this race a few years ago but decided to keep it going and we still see it as an important event”.
And despite the prevalence of local Sires Stakes and breeding series classics there is obviously a timeless appeal of an event like the Leeton Breeders Plate which for the last 15 years has been generously sponsored by Southern Central Engineering.
Nine two year olds lined up and in an evenly matched event and as a spectacle the race did not disappoint.
Local colt Business in Heaven (Rock N Roll Heaven) was the sentimental local favourite and in a fast run race early on he was able to hold the lead from the ex New Zealand colt Catchafire who was having his Australian start for Jackson Painting.
Rodney Coelli abroad Business in Heaven maintained a brisk pace even when the Victorian visitor Jetter Son raced around the outside of the field to take on the leader. Tuffasoldboots secured a trail while Achy Breaky Ark raced mid field.
But Business in Heaven was kept going and he dashed clear coming off the back straight shaking off the tiring Jetter Son. On straightening he maintained his pace to record an impressive win over Catchafire with Achy Breaky Ark doing his best work at the finish for third.
The winner ran 28.3 seconds for his final quarter and an overall mile rate of 1.56.5 for the 1758 metres.
BUSINESS IN HEAVEN REPLAY
The win gave veteran trainer Colin Thomas his third Leeton Breeders Plate, who was successful with Business in Motion in 2013 and later on with Bettermatch who was piloted by Nathan Jack. The win was popular as Colin is a long time serving committee member of the Leeton Harness Racing Club.
Catchafire will be greatly improved from his Australian debut and he can be expected to greet the winners circle in due course. His run was even more meritorious as it was reported that he carried a flat tyre in the event.
And so this coveted two year old classic will be back next year for its 71st running at Leeton and continuing a tradition of top juvenile racing in the Riverina.
by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink
