The day just had to get better!

Northern Region Harness Racing Championship-winning reinsman Allan McDonough could be forgiven for wondering what his day would bring after setting off on the long journey from Ballarat to Ouyen early Sunday morning (Oct 9).

“I got on the road for the four-hour drive at least 30 minutes later than we planned,” McDonough said.

“Then after about 100 kilometres our Jeep, which we haven’t had for all that long, starts beeping to tell me that it’s losing pressure in one of the tyres – that wasn’t a good feeling because I’d never used the jack before!” he said.

“I did the tyre change in record time though and from then on it was no stopping because it was touch-and-go if I was going to make it to the track for a catch drive in an early race. And we got there with about three minutes to spare.

“Fortunately, the only police car we saw on the way was one that drove past while we were changing the tyre on the Sunraysia Highway!”

After finishing fifth and sixth at his first two engagements, McDonough hit the jackpot in the feature race, the 41^st running of the O’Connors Case IH Northern Region Championship Final, thanks to a great tactical drive on race favorite My Ultimate Levi (Betting Line).

One of two Alex Ashwood-trained pacers to make the final, Lightning Jash (Tayla French), zipped across from barrier four to reach the front, but McDonough was successful in punching through hard from barrier two to then take the leading position.

“I was hoping to lead, but decided if didn’t get there first I would keep pressing forward because his work at home had been great and he’s a good-gaited horse. On these smaller tracks I think the best place to be is in front,” McDonough said.

“That left Tayla on my back and when she was able to get out with 600metres to go, I knew it was going to be on. It was a head and head duel, but halfway up the final straight I thought I’d hang on because Emma (Stewart) has her horses so tough.”

In a stirring finish to the $25K feature, My Ultimate Levi scored by a half neck from Lightning Jash with Cutty Sark (Ryan Sanderson) a further 3.7metres back in third. The other fancied runner Erupt Stride (Nathan Jack) took late ground off the leaders to finish fourth after settling one-out and three back.

McDonough went on to make it a driving double at Ouyen with Rockybomba (A Rocknroll Dance) for trainer Ricky Ryan in the Shaddock Farms Pace.

McDonough said he’d competed at the Ouyen circuit only once previously.

“I think it would have been years ago when I was working with John Justice. I don’t remember doing any good either,” he said.

“My Ultimate Levi has had only three runs since joining Emma’s stable for wins in Adelaide and now Ouyen, with a third at Swan Hill. He was supposed to go around again at Mildura in the second championship round, but his heat got washed out —and rain also stopped him from going around at Kilmore.”

McDonough, who is enjoying a terrific season with 26 wins and nine placings from 60 drives, followed his late father Kevin into the sport.

“Dad died about nine years after battling health issues, but I remember back in the 1990s, he’d campaign a small team each winter up at Tweed Heads and I’d fly up there for the school holidays. He had a great mate up there in John Livingstone,” he said.

“We’d have a ball and stay in a caravan at the Tweed track. And of course, the beach was just a few blocks away. Dad used to race them up there and then sell them.”

McDonough has been with the powerful Stewart/Clayton Tonkin team for four years now and says he’s thoroughly enjoying it.

“I was out on my own for 10 to 15 years and experienced the highs and lows. I was looking for a job and decided to send a message to Clayton. I knew him when we were both little because my dad drove a bit for Clayton’s father Peter at Mt Gambier meetings and others held around there,” he said.

“So I was lucky enough to get hired. They are great and let me have four of my own horses at their complex.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink