Nick Dewar Memorial Pace meeting run at Shepparton

The regular Tuesday night harness racing meeting at Shepparton on April 8 honoured young Riverina reinsman Nic Dewar, who was tragically killed in a road accident while returning from a Shepparton meeting in February 2018.

The feature race was the 1690-metre Nic Dewar Memorial Pace, won by six-year-old Sunshine Beach–Illawong Fabulous gelding Ohhemmjay Cresco, trained by Gary Pekin at Girgarre East and driven by 20-year-old Riverina-based reinsman Harrison Ross.

Beginning quickly from gate two in the race restricted to concessional drivers, Ohhemmjay Cresco was rated perfectly in front, going on to score comfortably by 7.6m. Icanmotor finished second, with Favouritehighlight, who came from well back, a further 7.2m away in third. The mile rate was 1;58.5.

Bunbartha-based Newberry family John, Maree, and Matt claimed the Wednesday Wager SHRC Facebook Pace over 1690m with Alta Bayamo, a four-year-old gelding bred by John and Maree.

Trained and driven by John, Alta Bayamo began from the extreme draw and settled near the tail as Rolling Remona took up the running. Launching a solo three-wide move in the last lap, Alta Bayamo swept to the lead on the home turn and powered away to score impressively by 5m in a mile rate of 1:57.8. Our Mystery Bet got off the inside late and flashed home wide to grab second, while Crazy On The Beach charged late for third, a head away.

On a night where locals featured strongly, Kialla’s David Moran went from hero to villain in the eyes of punters, collecting a stable double. He scored with seven-year-old gelding Tedesco in the Welcome Hygain To SHRC Trotters Handicap over 2190m, and with Magnetic Storm, in the 1690-metre Helma Gash Neatline Homes 3YO Maiden Pace.

Tedesco, beginning from the 10m handicap in the stand start event, stepped cleanly and, once finding his rhythm, pressed forward to take the lead from pole marker Midnight Avenger turning off the back straight the first time. From that point, he was never headed, cruising to a 6.1m victory in a mile rate of 2:04.3. Aristotle finished second, with nine-year-old mare Starlight Red 2.9m away in third.

It was a strong night for the Goulburn Valley, with other winners including Day Two (Wayne Potter and Mel Thackeray) and Hody Moke (Bec Bartley).

For complete race results, click here.

by Len Baker, for Harness Racing Victoria