Catch driver wins Cromwell Cup

Harness racing driver Brent Barclay proved to be an admirable replacement for Craig Thornley in today’s $15,000 Golden View Care and Lifestyle Village Cromwell Cup.

Thornley was injured earlier in the day and Barclay took the reins of Franco Norton (A Rocknroll Dance) who impressively won the day’s feature in testing conditions – thunder and lightning and torrential rain.

The five year old bred and raced by Spreydon Lodge had won the Gore Cup, also on the grass, so he was in great form. 

“It a bit of a bonus. We’ve come down here with a nice horse who’s had his problems. He’s got a hock problem which he’s had all his life and it’s deteriorated over time. Even between the two Cups things went wrong and we had to scratch him at Roxburgh. He’s probably never going to get where he should on ability but it’s been a lot of fun getting this far,” McRae said.

He added he doesn’t want to race the horse if he’s in too much pain so he’ll now be spelled for six months.

“We’ll get him x-rayed and talk to the vet when he comes back. We might give him another go but if it’s not (resolved) we’ll give him to someone as a riding horse.”

Franco Norton made light work of the 30 metre handicap and Barclay took him to the lead halfway into the first bend. He was going so well heading for home Barclay could afford a look inside and out. Nothing was making any significant ground and the gelding won easily by two lengths from She’s Tough. 

FRANCO NORTON REPLAY

“With the sting out of the ground and with his legs the way they are it wasn’t going to hurt him. Brent said he jogged it. Outstanding drive, full points. He did the complete opposite of what I told him but that’s okay because he’s always been a better driver than me.” 

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink