Nine-year-old gelding rewarded for consistency

Nine-year-old harness racing gelding Buster William (Rock N Roll Heaven) was rewarded for his consistency over a long period, when he scored in Sunday’s (Feb 05) Meander Valley Cup at Carrick Park.

The winner of 13 races from an 86 start career (that includes 35 minor placings) was able to get through the field well from his 20m handicap in the 2650m event to end up one-out and four-back.

Trainer-driver Mark Yole was able to get a three-wide cart up over the final 800m before dashing clear, rounding the final bend to defeat Check In by two metres with Puntarno Stride a half-head away in third position.

“I’m very happy that he has finally got a reward for his consistency.

“I noticed after the Scottsdale Cup he didn’t finish off after I drove him tough, and I said to Wayne that I would be driving him with cover over the longer distance going forward,” said Yole after the race.

“I was stoked (with how he got away), he is still a work in progress from his stands, as he is very touchy, I made a few changes a few months ago, and he is stepping better,” the winning trainer, driver and part-owner explained.

The win may not have occurred after an incident several months ago.

“I went to go get another horse off Wayne and Wanda (Campbell) that he was sending to me to train.

“But we couldn’t get that one on the float, so I suggested we put an old horse on and see if we would get the younger one on the float with it.

“The old horse (that ended up being Buster William) went straight on, but the other still wouldn’t load and Wayne said I may as well just take him home, as he had been in the paddock for 12 months and I was happy to give him a go,” explained Yole.

Yole is eyeing more silverware from the Carrick Park Pacing Club with the pacer next month.

“We will come back for the Carrick Cup in a month, but I will have to probably find a race for him in-between,” he said.

Buster William has come close to winning a Carrick Cup in the past.

He was defeated a half-head by James Dean in 2021 and was third in the 2020 edition.

The win was the middle pin of a driving treble for Yole, who also scored with Im Rock Solid in race 6.

His other winner came with Mach Angelo, who dead-heated with Alberio in the last race.

The result was given after a lengthy delay caused by an issue that resulted in photo finish equipment failing.

The judge used the video replay to assist with his decision.

For complete race results, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing