West Melton harness racing trainer Clint Ford was more nervous than he has been for a long time going into tonights running of the Sires Stakes Trotting Prelude with his talented three year old trotter Marcoola at Addington Raceway.
A trial last week where Marcoola hadn't trotted very well had Clint a bit worried pre race but Marcoola never looked like putting a foot wrong from the time the gate went.
Out well to challenge hot favoutrite Conon Bridge for the lead early on, Clint slotted Marcoola into the trail after 300 metres and tracked Conon Bridge every where from then on.
When the passing lane presented itself, Marcoola was quickly into it and slowly but surely wore Conon Bridge down before drawing clear by a length the last little bit.
Conon Bridge fought on for second but was slightly disappointing after a soft run in front while Wilma's Mate provided a minor highlight of the race by rushing home for third after galloping badly after 100 metres.
Clint was all smiles post race.
" I was confident that Marcoola could match it with the good ones tonight."
"He was coming in fresh after ten weeks away from the races but he races well in that condition."
" He traveled lovely the whole trip and I was pretty confident a fair way out he would be hard to beat" Clint said.
Clint has always had a big opinion of the son of Sundon and has been fighting off the agents lately.
" I turned down huge money for him recently but the family has had a lot of smart trotters over the years and I think Marcoola could be the best of them"
"His mother had all the ability in the world but was so difficult to manage."
"Being a Sundon from her you would think he would be unmanageable but he is the opposite."
A kid could drive him he is so laid back and nothing upsets him."
" I would love to win the Trotting Derby in a months time so that's were he is headed," Clint said.
Bob Butt was philosophical about the defeat.
" He has over raced in front and that has cost him in the end.
" I should have let him roll a bit more but I was getting a soft trip so I held him back to the field."
" At least we have a month to sort that out," Bob said.
The Ford family have been having a great run with their trotters lately and tonights win just added further kudos to what has already been a hugely successful season to date.
Harnesslink Media