Harness Highlights

By Len Baker

Yarra Valley trots were held on Monday July 17 and two of the most popular winners during the day were Hay There Joe and The Beach Fantasy.

Hey There Joe was victorious in the Yarra Glen Bakehouse 3Y0 Maiden Pace over 1650 metres. Trained by Phil Chircop at Parwan, Hey There Joe driven by Jodi Quinlan was first up since April and after drawing inside the second line was given a beaut passage trailing the speedy polemarker John Vincent having his first start for the Tony Xiriha stable who had to work extremely hard to retain the front running. Using the sprint lane, Hey There Joe ran home nicely along the markers to register a one metre margin from Kialla Kid (three pegs) which had eased three wide prior to the home turn to follow the well supported Calling Buddy three wide from three back after being four wide at the start from outside the front line.

The margins a metre by a head in a mile rate of 2-00.8.

* * *

High priced gelding The Beach Fantasy, trained by Lance Justice in Melton was successful in the 2150 metre Hi-Style Building Group Pace when having his sixth start on Australian soil after winning a restricted race at Cambridge in the North Island (NZ). Raced by John Hawke, partner Gaye Lester, daughter Sheryl Hawke and husband Mark Boysen along with son Darren and daughter-in-law Lynelle, The Beach Fantasy with James Herbertson in the sulky pushed forward from gate five to stride past the leader Nicolescruiser (gate four) hitting the back straight on the first occasion and after being rated to perfection, gave his rivals the slip prior to the home turn to score easily by 6.4 metres unextended from stablemate Deuce Coupe (five wide home turn from the rear) which flashed home. Groom (one/one) was third 4.3 metres away.

The mile rate 2-01.1.