Moore for Ray as he figures out breeding key

Harness racing owner-breeder Ray Moore is still trying to work out the key to breeding success.

And the former grain grower thinks he is getting close to finding the right formula.

Moore has had a life-long affinity with harness racing, stemming from his maternal side with memories of going to the trots with his mum at Junee at the age of seven.

Now, aged 71, Moore has experienced many different levels of involvement in the industry from breeding, owning and administration.

But it’s the guesswork of breeding that makes Moore’s heart sing most.

Having bred “close to 100 horses”, Moore is on a quest “for classic horses”.

And he has found one with his bay gelding Brooklyn Bridge (Sweet Lou).

The four-year-old son of Sweet Lou is only lightly raced having had 10 starts for seven wins.

Yet despite the lack of racing experience, Brooklyn Bridge has provided Moore with his biggest achievement yet when winning the $100,000 TAB Regional Championships Riverina Final last Friday.

“I’m enjoying my horses and it can take a long time to get a good one, but you keep on breeding,” said Moore.

“I’ve bred close to 100 horses and Brooklyn Bridge’s success is the biggest single win that I’ve had.

“I would have to say that Brooklyn Bridge is one of my best horses.”

Moore first set his eyes on his pacer when Brooklyn Bridge was just one month old.

Having purchased the Art Major mare Loving You in foal, it took some time before Moore could see his new investment.

“Peter Wharton was on the lookout for me to find a new broodmare and he found Loving You,” recalled Moore.

“I had her full-sister Daisey Chain and after three to four months of negotiations, I purchased Loving You in foal to Sweet Lou.

“The mare was down in Shepparton (Victoria) and she was so close to foaling that I asked for permission from Harness Racing New South Wales to let her foal down there.

“I then brought the mare to my place in West Wyalong when the foal was one-month old.

“I raised that foal on my property, he is now known as Brooklyn Bridge and he has always been a nice horse.

“He was broken-in by Norm and Malcom Diebert and I had about nine horses that year and Brooklyn Bridge was the one I picked out of them all.

“He took big strides and has always shown something special.”

So much so, Brooklyn Bridge made his racing debut as a late two-year-old and ran an eye-catching second before winning his first race a start later.

“I received a pretty big offer for the horse when he won his second start and didn’t take it,” admitted Moore.

Having spent seven months away from the track following this, Brooklyn Bridge came out and won his next three starts before finishing unplaced in his one and only start at Menangle.

“It was a semi-final of the Breeders Challenge, and he was up against Leap To Fame and My Ultimate Ronnie,” said Moore.

“He lacked a preparation and was ready for a break, so it wasn’t entirely a bad thing.”

Moore believes Brooklyn Bridge is a different horse as he prepares to head back to Menangle this Saturday night for the $100,000 TAB Regional Championships State Final.

Drawn well in barrier two, Brooklyn Bridge is the second favourite.

“It’s a wonderful draw and he’ll produce a much better showing than the last time he raced at Menangle,” said Moore.

“He has blistering point-to-point speed and can’t wait to head out to Menangle to watch him.”

Brooklyn Bridge is prepared by Ellen Bartley and has always been driven by Blake Jones.

His recent victory also provided the young couple their biggest success.

by Amanda Rando, for Harness Racing New South Wales