S.A. Pony Trots

It was a lovely warm day at Victor Harbor with the ponies running in two events.  As usual Victor Harbor Harness Racing Club made everybody feel very welcome and excelled by giving the first three placegetters in both races a lovely trophy and the remainder of the placegetters a bright purple inscribed ribbon.  Victor Harbor in conjunction with the SAHRPA also gave drivers a $10 Strawberries Galore Voucher to spend.  David Jolly also offered his services to transport 5 of the 9 ponies to Victor Harbor which we were very grateful for.  A thank you must also go to Mark Lydeamore for calling the pony races today.

In the first event Razzle Dazzle and Pee Wee 50 started off the same mark but as the flag went down Razzle Dazzle scooted away and was in front by 10 metres soon after the start.  On the home turn Razzle Dazzle was in front with Eddy’s A Fake moving into second position and Pee Wee 50 close up third, the backmarker Wynkie Sweet Fairytales although making up ground fast was still 150 metres behind the front runner.

Coming down the home straight Eddy's A Fake had levelled up with Razzle Dazzle, Pee Wee 50 about to make a run, 10 metres back to Wandarra Tess and a further 10 metres back to a wall of ponies with Born To Be Wild on the inside, Reggie Ledgie and Westbury Bogart in the centre and Wynkie Sweet Fairytales even wider.

A nice piece of driving from Jacinta Gilbert on Wandarra Tess who had been hugging the rails all the way pulled wide in the straight and scooted away for a 40 metre win over the fast finishing Wynkie Sweet Fairytales who grabbed Eddy's A Fake right on the line.  The final placings were Wandarra Tess and Jacinta Gilbert 1st for Don and Helen Wenham, Wynkie Sweet Fairytales and Chantelle Rendall 2nd and Eddy's A Fake and Jodie Billinger 3rd.

Wandarra Tess and Jacinta Gilbert an easy winner and receiving trophy from Liz Dunstall on behalf of Victor Harbor Harness Racing Club.  Tess is happy it isn't a ribbon!

The second event was delayed when Pee Wee 50 decided he didn't want to run again and jibbed 10 metres back from where his starting point was, both Razzle Dazzle and Pee Wee 50 were both brought forward 30 metres and Wandarra Tess was re-handicapped after winning the first event.

Pee Wee 50 stepped away better in this event and on the home corner it looked a race in three with Razzle Dazzle in front, Pee Wee 50 on its outside and Eddy’s A Fake pulling off Pee Wee 50’s back and a further 20 metres back to Reggie Ledgie, Westbury Bogart and Chilli Knights.  With 100 metres to go there was three across the track and a great finish looming.  Chilli Knights sprouted wings with 30 metres to go and won by half a length from a cluster of ponies including Razzle Dazzle, Eddy's A Fake, Westbury Bogart and Pee Wee 50.  The final placings were Chilli Knights and Chantelle Rendall first, Razzle Dazzle and Christie Gilbert 2nd for Rose and Ashley Terrell and Eddy’s A Fake and Jodie Billinger 3^rd who fought on well.