Houghton and Dancingonmoonlight double up

The sliding doors effect of harness racing was on full display lastnight for Ross Houghton and the Dancingonmoonlight camp.

Having won the first juvenile race of the new season with the talented but recently sold Showmethetanlines (Downbytheseaside), his stablemate and runner up from a fortnight ago, Incentivise (Bettor’s Delight), stepped up and filled the void immediately with a dominant win at Addington Raceway lastnight (14 Feb).

Driven by Craig Ferguson, the well-bred two-year-old pacer who failed to get a bid at the NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales has vindicated the decision by the connections to firstly pursue, and then execute a plan that would hopefully see them winning early season juvenile races.

As many in the industry would know, it’s easier said than done.

Barely into the second month on the calendar, the plan has turned into a reality.

Incentivise was opened up as a $10 chance in what became a six horse field with the scratching of Showmethatanlines who was sold to Perth interests during the week. That was quickly snapped up with the Houghton pacer starting at almost even money on fixed markets.

Driven positively off the arm to lead from barrier two, Ferguson let Incentivise rip down the back straight in a 26 second quarter to put the pressure on his opposition and fought bravely all the way to the line and win by half a length at the finish in a 1:59.2 mile rate.

INCENTIVISE REPLAY

““When does our luck end? We just cant be happier,” said winning owner, Robert Famularo.

“There was a bit of confidence with Ross and the team and a bit of expectation, but the way the race was run was a bit of shock. All credit to Ross and the team. Bruno (Bronson Munro), the girls. It’s a massive thrill, you never get tired of it. Nobody can describe winning, you get the nerves, the pleasure, it’s just so cool.

“To have a full sister in the sales is nice, who to be honest, is a better type. We wont be giving her away!”

While the margin of victory may not have told the real story, a 54.9 last half would indicate that Houghton ironed out any wrinkles of green-ness from the debut performance which saw Incentivise get a little lost in the run home. Having sat behind the horse who beat him home on that occasion, Ferguson was wrapped to be able to get on the stablemate for lastnight’s assignment.

“They went and sold the other bugger on me during the week and thought I may have missed out, so I was bloody lucky to get on this one,” quipped Ferguson.

“(The time) Sounds ridiculous doesn’t it, but it was a massive tail wind down the back so I thought it would be a good time to run along a wee bit and make it hard for anything to run us down heading into the headwind in the straight, so there was a bit of a plan there.

“He is a big strong bugger and Ross has done a super job to win both 2YO races at Addington, you cant knock that, can you?”

Houghton was suitably delighted with the result and must be getting to enjoy the Entain 2YO Bonus scheme having once again pocketed an additional $12,000 on top of the winning stake for Dancingonmoonlihght and their Estate Manager and winning breeder, Sam Langrope.

“He is a nice horse too with a bit of improvement, he is a big strong colt, a 54 second half, you don’t go much better than that. For a two-year-old this time of year, it shows how good you have to be,” said Houghton.

While it was one of the performances of the night, young junior reinsman, Jacob Dunn stole the show at headquarters reining home his first driving success in just his fourth official race drive on the same night his grandfather, Robert Dunn, secured his 2100th training win.

The eldest son of John and Jenna Dunn appears to be a chip off the old block, overcoming a torrid run down the back straight with a well timed run to secure victory aboard the Mark Smolenski trained, Sophia Bromac (He’s Watching).

SOPHIA BROMAC REPLAY

 “It wasn’t looking too good when I was heading down the back, but credit to this girl, she stuck on and sustained her run,” said Dunn.

“It was a massive run and massive thanks to MJ (Mark Smolenski) for putting me on, I couldn’t be happier and you cant wipe the smile off my face. It will always be with me now, and I wont forget the horse either. I might have to get a set of the colours and frame them and put them up on the wall,” he said.

Smolenski who spends a bit of time down at Woodend Beach with the Diamond Racing camp was noticeably chuffed to see the young talent successful in his colours.

“She is a lovely, lovely filly and we were hoping she could get Jacob his first win. It’s what I was praying on, its always an honour to get somebody starting their career over the line,” said Smolenski.

“Jacob is very dedicated, and just like all of The Dunn’s, a hell of a nice guy and he is going to follow in all of their footsteps,” he said.

For complete Addington results, click here.

by Brad Reid, for Harnesslink