Snippets from around the country

FREELANCE harness racing driver, trainer and tragic Bombers AFL fan, Michael Bellman, of Ararat, didn’t waste any time in bouncing back from a nasty race fall at the St Arnaud Cup meeting on Sunday (Nov 20).

Bellman had combined with astute trainer Denis McIntyre to score in the second last event at St Arnaud with the promising Captain Pins (CaptainTreacherous), but then got tipped out in the last which was declared a no race.

Obviously far from on top of the world, he still made the four-hour trek to Warragul the very next day and finished with a treble and two runners-up cheques.

“Yes, I’m still a bit battered and bruised, but it was worth the effort,” Bellman said.

His treble included Illawong Phoenix (Heston Blue Chip), Easy Pickings (Quite Easy) and Illawong Jovial (James Elliott).

The other drivers involved in the St Arnaud no-race scrimmage were Darby McGuigan, who had earlier captured the Pacing Cup with Byalla Boy (Shadow Play), and in-form Charlton reinswoman Denbeigh Wade.

Wade’s partner Michael Gadsden said after spending Sunday night in Bendigo hospital under observation, Denbeigh was now home “hoping to get back to driving very soon”.

“After scans, she was given the all-clear. She’s got some gravel rash and bruising, along with a bit of a stiff neck,” Michael said.

“After watching the race replay, Denbeigh said it was no wonder she got hurt. She got knocked out when she hit the ground, so she was certainly lucky.

“Our horse Markleigh Caz escaped with a few little marks on a back leg. When he went into a full-stretch gallop after the pile-up, it was probably fortunate that he races without hopples and there was nothing for him to get tangled up in.

“Charlton people such as Andrea O’Gorman and Leon Fanning, and the Markham and Sanderson families, along with cup winning trainer Shaun McNaulty were awesome in helping us out.”

HUGE round of applause goes out to a group of young guns in New South Wales who last week joined the cause to raise money for flood relief in their home State.

Talented Riverina drivers in Peter McRae and Blake Micallef, along with rising star Blake Medlyn have put up their hands to give a portion of their driving percentages over the next month to those doing it tough in Eugowra.

Micallef is having an outstanding season with 74 wins and 177 placings, while McRae is enjoying a great deal of success as well with 55 wins and 105 placings.

And just in the last few days, another trio in Will Rixon, Bryce McElhinney and Mitch Chapple have followed suit.

Rixon, son of well-known and successful industry participants Peter and Cindy Rixon, is regarded as one of the finest in NSW. A grandson of the late A.D (Tony) Turnbull, he has driven 68 winners this season, along with 144 placings.

McElhinney recently left to try his luck in Queensland, while Chapple is a very well-liked and popular trainer/driver in the NSW Hunter Valley region.

HOW exciting was it to see one of Victoria’s top horsemen in David Aiken out on the racetrack and doing what he enjoys best—driving a winner.

The 63-year-old Inter Dominion winner showed his class to land Pesco Pollo (Love You) in the Aldebaran 3yo+ Maiden Trot at Cranbourne last Sunday week (Nov 13).

Angling in behind race leader Acool Investment, Aiken bided his time before easing the striking-looking big fellow out at the top of the straight and winning by the narrowest of margins.

The Avenel-based trainer/driver shared news of his battle with prostate cancer back in August—in the hope of encouraging more in the industry to get check-ups.

After having surgery and on the mend, Aiken wasted no time in backing the annual partnership of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and HRV, aimed at fundraising and driving awareness.

The Foundation says 66 Australian men are diagnosed each day and research can change their future.

“Please donate to our Future Fund on Thursday (November 24) and your gift will be matched dollar for dollar.”

PASSIONATE northern Victorian harness racing club Gunbower recently made the tough call to have its December 4 meeting transferred.

Persistent heavy rain and flooding resulted in the HRV taking the club’s advice and advising trainers that the fixture will now be at the neighboring Frank Ryan Memorial Paceway in Echuca.

While the Gunbower circuit was considered suitable for racing, the club was concerned the surrounding public areas and stabling facilities may not be up to scratch.

All race codes will remain unaltered, while race distances have been amended to the nearest applicable Echuca distance.

HRV has reminded industry participants to check on the floods information page before setting off to race meetings and allow extra travel time.

LIKEABLE Queensland harness racing trainer Greg Elkins and his reinsman son Matt have every reason to be on cloud nine for a bit yet.

Greg, of Calvert, a longtime participant, won the Graham Harriott Trotters Discretionary Handicap with six-year-old bay horse Rocket Nova (Majestic Son) at last Sunday’s (Nov 20) Marburg meeting.

“I’m feeling most contented after winning the time-honored Graham Harriott Memorial,” he commented on social media.

“It’s a race held each year for trotters—and I only have one with the rest of the team being pacers.

“To win my first trot race and in track record time as well was a big thrill. He’s actually only the second square-gaiter I’ve ever trained.”

Greg paid tribute to a superb drive by son Matt.

“He rated him perfectly once he got to the front. And the owners were rapt as they received a beautiful trophy and dress rug, presented by Graham’s family,” Greg said.

Rocket Nova started at 16/1 and won by an impressive 23 metres from Set Me Free (Angus Garrard) with a further 10 metres back to Shegotsass (Tim Gillespie).

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink