Some of Australia’s leading drivers were heralding their horses amid a star-studded night of harness racing at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday.
In one thrilling 60-minute swoop Tee Cee Bee Macray, Hectorjayjay and Our Waikiki Beach emerged from cover to mow down their rivals and win their respective races, confirming their status as some of Australasia’s elite.
Tee Cee Bee Macray was first to get the job done, again overcoming a back row draw to sweep the field and win the Decon Pace for trainer Alan Tubbs and driver Greg Sugars.
“He’s fast becoming my favourite horse at the moment, that’s for sure,” Sugars said. “He’s got incredible acceleration as everyone has seen in recent times and I struggle to think of too many horses who I have sat behind that have that kind of speed.”
ENJOY GREG SUGARS POST-RACE INTERVIEW
The Minuteman Free For All followed and $1.10 favourite Hectorjayjay rewarded punters' faith with a 2.7m win in a 1:54.0 mile rate for trainer David Aiken and driver Gavin Lang.
“He’s always had a great amount of ability,” Lang said. “This horse has got a great outlook on life and he is a pleasure to drive really. We have a race in a couple of weeks here, David said, hopefully he holds together well and Perth late in the year will be good.”
WATCH GAVIN LANG’S POST-MORTEM ON ANOTHER HECTOR WIN
And then it was over to the All Stars, with New Zealand trainer-driver Mark Purdon’s jet three-year-old Our Waikiki Beach recording a 21st win from his 22nd start by rounding up favourite Menin Gate and careering away for a 2m win in the tab.com.au Pace.
“He’s a lovely horse,” Purdon said. “He’s a pleasure to work with. I think he’s close to 100 per cent, I think he will benefit from tonight’s run. We look forward to the (Breeders Crown) semi-finals now with him.”
The high-calibre racing continues with the Breeders Crown trotting heats at Maryborough tomorrow, a return to racing at Tabcorp Park Melton on Friday and then the Breeders Crown pacing semi-finals at Bendigo on Saturday night.
SOAK UP ALL SATURDAY NIGHT’S WINNING DRIVER INTERVIEWS HERE
by Michael Howard