Successful debut for five-year-old

Hignett proved age is just a number on Thursday at Flamboro Downs as the Believeinbruiser gelding made his harness racing debut at five years old and led at every pole to win by open lengths.

The aged pacer crossed over from post three early and used his pylon positioning to hang out 1-5 favourite Buck N Bettor (Travis Henry) and seize the front in a :28.1 opening panel. Hignett came under fire passing the half in :58.1 as Beacon Seelster (Brett MacDonald) rolled out of third, but the leader easily repelled that foe and continued to three-quarters in 1:26.4.

Trainer and driver Steve Hudon kept calm behind Highett as Buck N Bettor closed the gap from the pocket on the final turn, and Hudon needed to only shake the reins for Hignett to streak away to a two-and-a-quarter-length victory.

Third-place finisher Beacon Seelster was another length and a half adrift of Buck N Bettor. The winner returned $20.80.

Jim Skelhorn Jr. of Rockwood bred and owns Hignett, whose earnings total $3,700 after the debut score. The gelding qualified for the first and only time to date on Apr. 23.

Also on the card, Wilcat Rocky extended his unbeaten streak to three with the narrowest of wins.

The three-year-old pacing gelding has started his sophomore campaign on fire, winning four of five starts in conditioned events at Flamboro.

Stephen Byron was undeterred by post eight and commanded full speed from Wilcat Rocky, who muscled two-wide through the first turn to make front. The gelding posted a :28.4 opening quarter and enjoyed a breather to the half in :58.3.

Byron hit the accelerator as the field of nine straightened for its final trip down the backstretch, and Wilcat Rocky passed three-quarters in 1:27.4 with Belechick (Nick Boyd) bearing down first-over. The latter continued to erase the advantage into the stretch and surged in the final 1/16th, but the finish came in time for Wilcat Rocky, who prevailed in 1:56.

Suemacks Angel (Paul Mackenzie) was a length behind the top two in third. The win price was $4.60.

Wilcat Rocky, a son of Hes Watching, is now four-for-12 lifetime and has earned $25,050 for owner/breeder Wildcat Stables Inc. of Carrying Place and co-owner Antonio Tangreda of Kettleby. Dale Heard is the trainer.

Flamboro Downs is set to return on Sunday, May 14.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink