Harness Highlights

By Tim O’Connor (HRV)

Connections of former top-liner Code Bailey were celebrating after the nine-year-old scored his first victory since the 2020 Terang Pacing Cup, at Tabcorp Park Melton last Saturday night.

Driven by Lochie Cook, the son of Christian Cullen was given a quiet time at the back of the field but finished best to claim the IRT Australia Pace.

Code Bailey was having just his eighth start since that Terang Pacing Cup triumph, and Cook said plenty of work had been going on behind the scenes in a bid to get the horse back to winning ways.

“He’s had a massive preparation on the treadmill and in the dam…,” Cook said.

“It’s a huge credit to Paddy Lee, Marg Lee and Jason (Lee) who have put a lot of time and money into this horse, and along with them is a massive group of owners who have backed this horse and always had faith in him to be a star.”

Code Bailey has now won 18 races from 51 starts, with prizemoney up over $300,000.

Early on the Melton card, 79-year-old trainer Faye McEwan took out the Colin Redwood Memorial Victorian Square Trotters Association Trotters Handicap Final with Watch And Act thanks to a perfect drive from Josh Duggan.