Sentimental win for Lang in inaugural trot feature

It was a fitting result in harness racing’s inaugural The Lang Trot Final at Geelong on Saturday night (Oct. 22) as Rogue Gentleman (Majestic Son) smashed the Beckley Park track record with a brilliant front-running display.

The performance secured a special success in the race for trainer-driver Chris Lang, the son and brother of the men whom the race was created to honour.

The Warragul and Geelong clubs established the feature this year to pay tribute to harness racing greats Graeme and Gavin Lang, who sadly passed in 2020.

Chris Lang only acquired Rogue Gentleman in recent months and won a heat of the series at Warragul in track record time before repeating the dose at Geelong.

The legendary 62-year-old horseman said he felt it was a “great idea” when Geelong Harness Racing Club CEO John Dunne had sought approval of the race some time ago.

“I didn’t really think back then I’d be standing here now, but it does mean a lot to me,” he said.

“I think it’s lovely the way my Dad and brother have been held in such high esteem in the industry since their passing.

“I’m very glad to be part of the family and it’ll be special for me looking back in years to come to think I won the inaugural running of this race.”

Rogue Gentleman was sent straight to the front by Chris Lang from the 10m handicap on Saturday night and barely came up for air, running along out in front and crushing his rivals by almost 6m.

The mile rate of 2:01.6min smashed the previous 2100m standing start record at Geelong that Roy Hobbs (2:02.9min) had held since 2014.

ROGUE GENTLEMAN REPLAY