Consistent Pat The Pony finally had some good luck to break through for a harness racing victory in The Ford Legend Mike Perry Pace (1800m) at Globe Derby Park on Saturday night.
Driver Ken Rogers took advantage of a first turn incident to wind up trailing the lead after coming from gate six before using the sprint lane to win.
Pat The Pony ($21.90) scored by four metres from the leader Smooth Delight ($9.20) with Blackntan ($12.70), 8-1/2 metres away third.
The winner is owned by Tanya Reed in partnership with Bianca Collins, daughter of trainer Ross Collins.
“We have been calling him Pat The Placegetter,” Tanya said. “Tonight, he had some luck and we got a win.”
The six-year-old is rarely far away but Saturday night was just his third win from 61 starts but he has notched 20 placings
Collins explained the gelding was his own worst enemy.
“When we first got him going he made mistakes and would gallop,” Collins said.
“He has improved but we still have to be careful at the start and can’t push him out which means he finds himself back in the field and needing luck in the run home.”
On Saturday night, Rogers had the gelding wide early looking to try and slot into the running line.
Going into the first turn, Dougs Limousine, the $1.40 was being driven hard by Ryan Hryhorec to push through from gate one when she ducked out contacting Missy Murdock tipping Michael Smith out of the sulky.
With the interference, Rogers went around and eventually drop onto the back of Smooth Delight which had been left well clear.
The gelding travelled beautifully and accelerated quickly up the sprint lane to win comfortably.
Collins said he had Pat The Pony on the market earlier in the year but with no takers.
“I was surprised there was no interest. After all, he had shown ability and was only a six-year-old and going concern.
I’ll keep him going and hopefully now he has found the winning post again we can pick up another win.”
by Graham Fischer