The King wins hometown trot

There wasn’t a more popular harness racing winner today at Gore than King Cassidy.

The veteran square gaiter who’s been racing the Southern circuit longer than most, was racing out of his grade today. But he didn’t know that, and he appeared to revel in the challenge.

King Cassidy and Sheree Tomlinson warming up

Driver Sheree Tomlinson placed the gelding three back on the fence with Willangus Lad taking up the role as pacemaker.

Turning for home Willangus Lad and King Cassidy went into a good old fashioned slug fest with King Cassidy.  Driver Sheree Tomlinson won the war by a head.

King Cassidy (3) getting the better of Willangus Lad

Today was the rising nine years old’s sixth start on the grass and the first time he’d shown any form on the natural surface.

“The last time we put him on the grass at Wingatui he went awful to be fair,” said trainer Chris Gerken.

Despite not being overly confident of a winning show, Gerken couldn’t fault King Cassidy’s condition going into the $20,000 trotting feature.

“He’s holding his condition a lot better now. We don’t fast work him very hard and we space his races. Being an old fella, he appreciates not racing week in week out.”

In the birdcage

The princess’s lead the King!!

By The Pres out of Hands N Heels, King Cassidy started his career with Neal Munro.

“We were lucky to get him. If he wasn’t such an ugly trotter, I don’t think we would have ever got him. He won three in a row for us four years ago and he’s such a pleasure to have around.”

He had his first win sat Forbury Park in May 2017. Nine of his twelve wins have been for Gerken whilst the balance has been with Gray. He’s been driven in four of his career wins by Tomlinson.

“He went to Brett’s because we had nothing at home to work (him) with and I think at that stage he needed to be in a bigger stable.”

Sharing in today’s win were Chris’s daughters Mallory and Kelly.

“They did all the work with him when I was injured so they deserve a lot of the credit. This is the first year they haven’t had a show horse to compete with, so it’s worked really well.”

Gerken’s wife Sonya wasn’t on course today as she was in Cromwell.

“We took Hazer up there yesterday so she’s at the Cromwell pub watching the race with the boys.”

Chris Gerken with the Gore Trotting Cup

View the Gore results click here!

by Bruce Stewart