TALENTED harness racing trainer Melissa Maine was contemplating sending her well-performed mare Faithful Gabby to the breeding barn this season but after she delivered a stellar performance to win a race at Luxbet Park Hobart last Sunday night those plans have been put on the back burner.
Faithful Gabby raced outside of the leader and race favourite The Bettormack ($1.80 fav) for 600 metres before rolling to the front and when her driver Gareth Rattray called on the mare to extend turning for home she sped clear and went on to defeat The Bettormack by 6-1/2 metres.
Faithful Gabby ($4.80 into $3.10) recorded a mile rate of 1.57.3 which is the fastest she has registered in Tasmania, although the mare finished a half-neck second to Shes Just A Delight at Melton last year in which the winner clocked a rate of 1.54.
Last Sunday night's win has most likely delayed the mare's career as a broodmare.
"I had started to look for stallions for this mare and we had almost settled on one but after her effort on Sunday night we've decided to keep her racing," Maine said.
"It was a good win but it wasn't a surprise because she has been going really well.
"I'll give her a short spell and then aim her at a couple of nice mares' races over the Christmas-New Year period here in Tassie.
Faithful Gabby (American Ideal-Faithful Sally) has won 12 of her 35 starts with 11 minor placings helping to nudge her carer stake earnings beyond $100,000.
"I was keen for her to earn over $100,000 in prizemoney and that was another incentive to keep her racing because it will enhance her stud value."
Peter Staples