Sentimental win has Spiteri all smiles

Fond memories of his late father came flooding back yesterday when Anthony Spiteri got the money at the historic 100-year celebration of Ararat Harness Racing Club.

“My dad and I both loved the horses, and we raced a few together over the years,” Spiteri said.

“He was a great supporter of mine, through heaps of encouragement – but also that he always insisted he pay for everything!” he said.

“Dad died last year, but his name lives on through the deeds of our three-year-old pacer Caruso Star, so it was special to get the win.

“Caruso was Dad’s name. He was born in Malta and come out here, had a family and worked hard all his life.”

And an appropriately hardworking win it was, with Caruso Star (Falcon Seelster-Lorimerjane (Metropolitan) responsible for a mighty effort to win the club’s 100 years 3YO Maiden Pace.

Reinsman Darby McGuigan was more than happy to trail the leader Smooth Techy (David Drury) who was among the main chances.

However, with 300 metres to go, Smooth Techy broke up and pole-axed Caruso Star, who had been travelling nicely, and inconvenienced some others as well.

McGuigan was able to get his charge back into a pace, regain his composure and storm down the outside to post a win full of merit.

Spiteri races Caruso Star in partnership with his wife Natalie and decided to give Caruso Star a freshen up after finishing fourth at Cranbourne in late September.

“He’d been working well since,” he said.

“We bought the horse from Bec Wardlaw. He had a few problems like breaking up going around the corners, but he’s all good now.”

In the following event, Spiteri had Blissfull Stride, raced by his brother-in-law Daniel Cini. The gelding, driven by Connor Clarke, finished third to Hook Eye Joh.

“Blissfull Stride went super as it was his first run back. I’m happy when they finish in the first five, but you still need a little bit of luck,” Spiteri said.

“Over the years dad and I enjoyed some lucky runs. Dad paid $400 for a horse called Produceatross which the vets didn’t think would ever race again. He thrived on beach work and ended up winning 13 races for us.

“Then we had Garstang which went okay and another one in The Timely Trader gave us a lot of fun.”
Spiteri combines training a small team of three with working night shift.

“I start my shift at 10pm and then when I’m finished, I’m straight out to the stables to work the horses,” he said

“At the moment it’s pretty easy because I’m on holidays until January 10, but a lot of my friends ask me how I do it – it’s simple, really, because I just love the horses.”

By Terry Gange for Harnesslink