S.A. Pony Trots

Apart from being a little windy it was a lovely day at Kapunda and like usual Kapunda Harness Racing Club looked after all the young drivers by giving them a $5.00 voucher to spend in the canteen. 

Also, Happy Birthday to Chantelle Dodd’s sister Jemma on her 11^th Birthday today.

To make the drive to Kapunda worthwhile all drivers had the option to race two individual ponies or one pony in two races.  The first race today was the open class and Lapanacaton was a late scratching for Nicholas Brown so he replaced Lapanacaton with stable mate Swamp Fire.  Swamp Fire is a shetland and in this race was racing against ponies a lot bigger and faster than him so started off the 380m mark but being out in front by himself he made the most of it and said 'catch me if you can' and trotted cleanly all the way for a very easy win making it back to back wins after winning at Globe Derby last night.

The placegetters were Monkey Business finishing 2nd for Chantelle Dodd who won both races at Kapunda two weeks ago and the backmarker Cheeky Charlie for 3rd driven by Matthew Williams as he was storming home down the outside. 

Whilst Swamp Fire was relishing in his glory Cheeky Charlie wasn't too impressed about waiting around for his rosette and showed how he could audition successfully for Ashton Circus with his Lipizzaner act standing on his hind legs for a good 30 secs. 

The field was in indian file coming around the top corner with Ben Ten leading the pack from Swamp Fire, Reggie Ledgie and Cowboy Road.  As the ponies turned for home Cowboy Road and Jodie Billinger pulled wide and making amends from last night at Globe Derby where he took fright of a shadow and jumped sideways cleaning up any pony in his way today with no scary shadows he trotted fluently to the line for an easy win over the fast finishing and consistent Crackerjack and Reggie Ledgie with 'love hearts' on his rump holding on for third placing.

Cowboy Road was only having his 2nd race start today after coming from Mypolonga where he has had a pretty easy life.  Cowboy Road is owned by Mick Kluske and cared for by Ruby Alcorn.

Reggie Ledgie had a good lead from Magpie Mary, Born To Be Wild, Wandarra Tess, Way To Go and Mr Mischief but it was Magpie Mary who was making ground the fastest but as she hit the lead she went for a gallop and wouldn't settle for Kaycee Carey.  Even though Magpie Mary crossed the line 1st by a half a length as she had galloped for the last 40-50 metres the race was awarded to the 2nd placegetter Reggie Ledgie and Cameron Jacques.  Magpie Mary was given the rosette for 2nd placing with Wandarra Tess and Matthew Basto 3rd.

The final race today was won by the newest of our young drivers who has only been driving in races for 4 weeks after having his 6^th birthday.  After looking the winner half way down the straight young Jason Kittel on his pony Ben Ten was encouraged to the line with a huge roar from the crowd by his legion of fans.  Jason was able to cross the line in first placing with a huge smile on his face. 

It was a blanket finish for 2^nd to 4^th placing with Cowboy Road hanging on for 2^nd ahead of the fast finishing Magpie Mary and Crackerjack.