Mark Lowe's Raceday Report Thursday 24th July 2014

 DREAM DEBUT FOR YOUNG TOM ISON

Tamworth 16yo Year 10 high school student Tom Ison won't forget Thursday afternoon July 24 in a hurry as he piloted his first race winner, at just his second race drive, and on his home track before his family and friends. After completing many trial drives at Tamworth Tom's initial race drive came in Race 1 but he could manage only 6th and then in Race 4, the Thrifty Car Rental Pace 1609m, the nervous youngster was driving the family owned 5yo Pipers Challenge (Energy Level-Scotts Wish). Despite racing without cover throughout from gate 2, the $21.80 shot fought on doggedly to win by a head in a rate of 2.02.0. The grey gelding is trained by Tom's older brother Sam, and had not won for over 12 months, however, had run a couple of good 4ths recently & been trialling well. The tiny reinsman's career began in the best possible way and his efforts were rewarded with The Pub Drive of the Day Award. His career is off to a flying start.

Another highlight on the overcast but warm day was the 8 1/2m victory of 4yo mare Artsu (Elsu-Holly Holmes) in the Harness Racing Travelworld LBJ Tour Closing Soon Pace 1609m. The $2.50 favourite drew three on the second line and made a surging three wide run 800m out to outclass her rivals in 1.59.4 for trainer/driver Dean Chapple of Moonbi. Her 6 runs at Tamworth since arriving from NZ have resulted in 6 wins (with a 5th at Newcastle) and cemented Dean's lead in both the Tamworth Drivers & Trainers Premierships, both sponsored by Harness Racing Travelworld. Artsu is now headed to Qld for a short campaign as a R6/C0 class pacer with 7 wins from 20 starts.

The TAB Rewards Pace 1609m had 7yo gelding Bit Noisy (Energy Level-Koara Leigh) lead throughout in a quick 1.58.9 for young local trainer/driver Dean Germon. The very speedy pacer races unhoppled and had just returned from a Victorian trip where he won in a sensational 1.55.8 at Shepperaton on May 25. Bit Noisy was bred by the Torrens family at Gunnedah and is now raced by Dean's mother Tina who was trackside to cheer on the $6.60 chance, very juicy odds considering the barrier one draw and his blistering gate speed.

The Bendemeer combination of trainer Peter Rippon and driver, wife Cindy returned to the winner's list in the Become A Member Pace 1609m with 4yo Major Deed (Art Major-C C Lobell). The ex-Victorian entire, had been struggling in better class of late and appreciated the drop in grade. After drawing outside the second row the $29.80 outsider landed in a good trail before storming home three wide over the last 500m to score by 4 1/2 m in 2.00.7.

Narrabri trainer Garry Shepherson was another to enjoy a welcome success when 4yo Flyingwithoutwings (Our Sir Vancelot-Narrawaa Princess) broke his maiden status in the Heats on August 7th of ATAC Marathon Pace 1980m. The $32.10 bolter raced at the rear of the field before unleashing a three wide sprint 700m out to score in a three way photo thanks to a very polished display by H/V freelance reinsman Peter Hedges. The winner is raced by breeder Neil Drysdale. The race was not without drama, however, as the nearside rein on $2.80 favourite Elboron became detached a lap and one half out and the 3yo raced wide on the track until caught by the clerk of the course.

All the remaining winners were visitors. The Hunter Valley combination of trainer Margot Lennox and driver Josh Osborn took out the TAB App. Pace 1980m with ex-Kiwi 3yo Our Expensive Art (Badlands Hanover-Star Of Peace). Despite racing without cover all the way the lightly raced filly, a $1.30 hot favourite, proved too strong in her second Aussie race start to win by 3m in a rate of 2.01.6.
Qld breeder/owner/trainer & driver Julie Weidemann was successful with 2yo Ghost Gum (Jet Laag-Eagle Street) in the Renew Your Membership Before July 31 Pace 1980m. Although the gelding gave away age to his rivals and pulled hard in the "death-seat",  the tough grey overcame all obstacles,including a slow beginning from gate one, to record his 2nd win from 12 starts and was a short priced $1.40 favourite.
Yet another Hunter "combo" to record a win was trainer Darryl Thomas and driver Jack Trainor with 4yo Mickey McRooney (McArdle-Pocketfullofposes) in the Roselyn Chaff Pace 1980m. Coming off a last start Newcastle victory, the black entire was a $1.80 favourite and gave punters no concerns by rattling home to score by 2 1/2m in a rate of 2.02.3. The win broke Trainor's "duck" on the Tamworth track after several placings. Sponsor Don George provided a bag of Roselyn Chaff to all trainers in this race.

Tamworth race again on Thursday August 7th  with the $6000 2YO Sapling, the $8000  K S Black & Co Competitive Stakes Gold Series Final and 2730m heats for C1-C4 pacers of the ATAC Marathon (Final over 3110m on August 18) as the features.

Mark Lowe